PARENTS: SCHOOL DISCIPLINARY CODE TOO SEVERE

A crowd of parents packed a School Council meeting last week to complain
about what they consider an unfair and unforgiving approach to drugs and
alcohol at the high school. State law allows school administrators to
suspend or expel students for possessing drugs such as marijuana or
cocaine. The provision is part of the code of conduct in Duxbury High
School's student handbook, which outlines lengthy disciplinary procedures
for several activities, including drug possession and illegal use of
alcohol. Concern about the disciplinary code, which has been in place for
several years, arose after several students were faced with expulsion or
long-term suspensions this fall, according to parents.

About 250 people crowded into the high school library for Tuesday's
meeting. Brian Sullivan, who spoke on behalf of a group called Concerned
Parents Response, called for a formal review of the high school handbook,
arguing that the current penalties are too severe and are inconsistently
applied.

"We believe all crimes should be punished, but the punishment should fit
the crime," Sullivan said in a prepared statement that drew applause.
Members of the School Council, led by high school assistant principal Ron
McCarthy noted the comments, which were made during the public comment period.

Alison Rich, another member of the parent group, said after the meeting
that residents want an opportunity to discuss the issues with the
administration in a productive way.

"This seems to be a social and political issue that the community wants to
address," she said.

The School Committee announced Wednesday that it will create an advisory
board that will likely research disciplinary practices in other
communities, according to Sarah Madigan, the School Committee's vice
chairwoman. That research will be conducted in tandem with a review of the
student handbook by the School Council, Madigan said. The advisory board's
specific charge will be determined at a meeting tomorrow, she added.

In addition, the School Department has scheduled a public forum for 7:30
p.m. Dec. 18 at the high school. Superintendent Eileen Williams said she
has received written questions from residents, and plans to address them
prior to the forum.

Williams said the student handbook is thoroughly reviewed with students at
the beginning of each school year. Unlike many parents in attendance at the
Tuesday meeting, she does not characterize Duxbury's practices as "zero
tolerance," because the code of conduct includes progressive levels of
discipline.. The school system's goal, she said, is to balance the safety
of all students with the consequences of certain potentially
life-threatening behaviors.

"We should not forget that they are illegal activities," Williams said.

Citing privacy rules, Williams would not discuss specific students, but
noted that the level of punishment in each case is at the principal's
discretion.