SCHOOLS HOST WORKSHOP ON DRUG POLICIES

Changes Affecting Talbot Athletes Under Discussion

EASTON - The Talbot County Board of Education will hold a public workshop
before its regular meeting tonight to discuss the controversial proposed
changes to the schools' athletic policies. At their September meeting,
board members were hopeful that the issue, which has been on the table for
much of this year, will be resolved tonight.

Throughout the lengthy debate, School Superintendent Dr. J. Sam Meek has
repeatedly emphasized that there is a serious drug and alcohol problem
among the youth of Talbot County. That viewpoint was backed up this week by
the Maryland State Department of Education.

Using data from the 2001 Maryland Adolescent Survey, MSDE has identified
Talbot County as a "hot spot" for drug and alcohol use and abuse. Talbot
students consistently ranked at the top or near the top of the state in
drug and alcohol use for sixth, eighth, 10th and 12th grades.

The proposed athletic policy states that a student who is assigned by the
superintendent to a school for disciplinary reasons would be ineligible for
sports for 180 school days.

According to the policy, this "is intended as a lesser alternative
discipline for any student who has consumed or has in his/her possession on
school property drugs or alcohol that would otherwise result in expulsion."

A student would not be excluded from the same sport for two consecutive
school years.

A student who voluntarily transfers between Easton and St. Michaels high
schools would be ineligible to participate in sports for 90 school days.
Exceptions would include students who transfer before attending the first
school day in ninth grade, students who transfer to play a sport not
offered at their home school and those who transfer back to their home
school at the end of the sports season.

Similar policies regarding extracurricular activities have also been proposed.

The board members are divided over the length of the periods of
ineligibility. In September, board member Steven Harris said he was in
favor of 90 and 45 days of ineligibility rather than 180 and 90. Board
member Kimberly S. Blair said she would support 45 days, but the 180 day
suspension is necessary to "send a tough message."

"We can do little to stem alcohol and drug use in the community," Meek said
in a press release Monday, "but on behalf of thousands of Talbot County
Public School students, we can stop alcohol and drug use on school property.

"This is a serious problem that deserves a serious response."

The workshop will be held at 6 p.m. at the Easton High School cafeteria.
The school board urges concerned citizens, parents, teachers, staff and
students to attend.