NEW DRUG POLICY OFFERS GREATER LATITUDE ON PENALTIES

It may not be as strong as some members of the Wood County Board of
Education members wanted, but a new drug policy for school employees
adopted Tuesday certainly is better than the one it is replacing.
Under the new policy, board employees caught with drugs on school
property can be suspended upward of 90 days for a first offense.
Termination of the employee can result after a second offense. No
minimum suspension is set in the new policy.

The issue became a matter of contention following an incident in late
fall after police found less than 15 grams of marijuana in the vehicle
of Parkersburg High School social studies teacher John Mark Miller
during a drug sweep at the campus. Board members were disappointed to
find the current policy only allowed for a 15-day suspension without
pay, which was given to Miller. Board members felt this policy,
adopted in the early 1990s, limited their options in dealing with this
serious problem.

"I think it (the revised policy) is an improvement over what we first
had," board member Jim Fox told the newspaper. "It gives us greater
latitude in addressing the severity of an offense. The old policy was
too restrictive. This one gives us more options." Fox originally
wanted stronger options for the board, including the ability to fire
an employee without a recommendation by the superintendent. This
proposal came under fire from state and local representatives of the
West Virginia Federation of Teachers who felt it was too harsh and
sent a negative message to employees.

While we agree with the new policy and with seeking school employees'
input in the matter, we do not think it a negative message to let
people entrusted in teaching our children know drugs will not be
tolerated on school grounds. Teachers are supposed to set an example
for kids, to be role models for the impressionable young minds they
shape every school day.

Due process is a right accorded to every citizen, even ones accused of
breaking laws. However, because of their sensitive role in the lives
of kids, teachers who have been accused of using drugs cannot be
allowed back in a classroom. Society demands this.

Boards of education have the duty to make sure this safeguard is
assured. The board's new policy, while maybe not as tough as some
members wished, has enough teeth to do that.