PARENTS IN DUXBURY HAVE NO TOLERANCE FOR DRUG POLICY

250 protest rules at high school

DUXBURY - Parents who are upset with the high school's so-called
''zero tolerance'' policy toward drugs and alcohol took their concerns
to the Duxbury High School Council last night.

About 250 people packed the school library to air their frustrations
and ask for a change in the policy, which they say is too strict.

Eight students were arrested on marijuana possession charges at
Duxbury High School in October. At least five have either withdrawn
from school or been suspended until January.

Parents last night asked the High School Council to review the
school's drug policy, which allows the principal to suspend or expel
any student caught on school grounds with drugs.

Robert Daniels questioned the effectiveness of removing students from
the school, which often results in the families moving to another town.

''I ask all the people in this room: Are we the kind of town that will
address our problems by removing them, or are we the kind of people
who want to take this on?'' Daniels said.

Parents also questioned the school's policy regarding athletes caught
with alcohol off school grounds. Although they face no suspension from
classes, athletes can be thrown off their teams for the rest of the
season.

Robert Nahmias, whose son was arrested Oct. 26 and charged with
transporting alcohol, spoke against the punishment of one of his son's
passengers, a high school senior who was kicked off the football team.

Nahmias said it's wrong for crimes such as sexual abuse by priests and
former President Clinton's lies about his affairs to go unpunished,
while teenagers who make mistakes suffer harsh penalties.

''We take a kid who's in his formative years, who screws up once and
we rake him over the coals. That's (expletive) and we have to do
something about it,'' Nahmias said.

The High School Council, which is made up of parents and school staff,
has the authority to review the student handbook and recommend
changes. The school committee has the final word on policy changes.

''We're aware of the concerns that many people have. We're concerned
as well,'' Assistant Principal Ron McCarthy told parents last night.

He said a forum for parents and administrators to speak about the
policy will be held Dec. 18 at the high school auditorium.

Some parents expressed concern at the delay and demanded immediate
action.

''I am wondering why students were expelled from school and why we
can't discuss that situation immediately and not wait months,''
Stephen Berall said.

The school's code of conduct does not call for automatic expulsion of
students caught with drugs but gives the school principal discretion
in handing down punishments.

Two residents pointed out that the perceived problem is not
necessarily with the policy itself but in the punishments that
principals hand down.

''What people want to know is why the policy was implemented the way
it was,'' Mary Jane Noel said.

''We don't need a change (in policy),'' Jeanne Clark said. ''We need
to discuss why (administrators) feel these Draconian measures are
necessary. There is no justice.''

Parents have suggested implementing a ''two-strikes'' policy, under
which students could serve a shorter suspension and return to school
on probation after the first offense.

Students are also pushing for debate of the policy.

''I just want to make sure that we get to talk about the issues that
are important to us, because it's affecting a lot of us,'' said Sara
Cederberg, a high school senior.

Alison Rich, one of the organizers of the parents' group, asked that
face-to-face meetings with administrators be held to discuss the
school's policies regarding drugs and alcohol.

The council took no action last night other than listening to the
parents and announcing the date for the forum, to be held jointly
with the town's drug and alcohol awareness committee.