LOPEZ MAN CHALLENGES SAN JUAN DISTRICT POLICY

Gary Franco doesn't think there is anything wrong serving his 17-year-old
son "a little wine at dinner. We're Italian and that's how we do things in
our family."

When the son -- a student at Friday Harbor High School -- was arrested on
Oct. 5 for being a "minor in possession of alcohol" (according to the
sheriff's report), the teen was immediately dropped from a Friday Harbor
High School sports team.

Since school began on Sept. 2, four athletes have been removed from teams
for use or possession of a controlled substance.

Franco is angry about that.

"The school treats a boy who's had a few sips of wine the same as a
cocaine-snorting drug addict. That's wrong. Everyone knows kids drink now
and then. Smashing them over the head for it isn't fair.

"The school is way too authoritarian."

Not only does Franco -- who established San Juan Island residency so his
son could play more competitive sports -- want his son re-instated, he
wants the San Juan Island school district to change their policy.

Franco plans on bringing the issue before the San Juan Island School
District Board of Directors tonight at 7, in the Friday Harbor High School
Library. The board will meet in closed session at 5:30 p.m. for a student
discipline hearing; the district would not disclose which student is
subject to the hearing.

"It isn't easy to expose our son's inappropriate behavior," Franco said.
"My wife and I feel we need an open discussion before the board."

At the center of Franco's complaint is the district's policy relating to
extra-curricular activities which are optional and do not bear on the final
grade or credit. Examples include athletics, concert tours, drama, math or
knowledge bowl teams and cheerleading.

"Participation is a privilege, not a right," Athletic Director Cal Johnson
said. "And that interpretation has been upheld by the Supreme Court."

When a student involved in an extra-curricular activity is found to possess
or use drugs or alcohol on or off campus, penalties are imposed.

For the first violation, the student is suspended from the activity for the
current season, or seven competitive weeks, whichever is longer.

The second violation results in suspension for one calendar year. The third
means that the student is barred from extra-curricular activities for the
remainder of the student's high school career.

"Yes, it's a tough policy, but one designed to keep our children safe,"
Sheriff Bill Cumming said. "It draws a clear line for students and is
spelled out from the first day. And it is the law.

"In most cases, these are good kids who, for whatever reason, made bad
decisions."

Though Cumming refused to divulge the results of the breath analysis on
Franco's son, he did say it was "something beyond a few sips of wine."

According to Johnson, the son accepted responsibility for his action.

To reinforce what is expected of them, Johnson speaks to each team as the
season starts, explaining in detail how the system works. Anyone who can't
or won't adhere to the stated rules is free to not participate.

"These students represent Friday Harbor High, whether they're downtown or
on the mainland," he said.

Seven years ago, the school board engaged judges, attorneys, teachers and
parents to consider whether the above penalties should be assigned for
violations of both drugs and alcohol.

"The committee couldn't see any difference between the two," Johnson said.
"Alcohol addiction, problems for society, physical effects on young bodies
were all addressed. Use and possession is illegal and the law requires zero
tolerance."

Franco has taken his case to district Superintendent Michael Soltman and
isn't happy with the response.

"Soltman is a mighty oak that doesn't bend," Franco said. "We need someone
in that position made of bamboo."