ZERO-TOLERANCE SCHOOL POLICY REWORKED AGAIN

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - The Knox County Board of Education is reworking its
zero-tolerance policy for a second time after a judge ruled the policy
violates a court order, state law and the Tennessee Constitution.

The policy governs student expulsions for possession of drugs and weapons
and attacks on teachers.

The parents of two high school students expelled for taking or possessing
someone else's sleeping pills sued the board over the policy in fall 2000.

In March 2001, the judge ordered the board to revise the policy to satisfy
state law and "constitutional guarantees afforded the plaintiffs."

The school board added a clause stating that all students expelled under
zero-tolerance would be considered for placement in an alternative school.

But the plaintiffs' lawyers recently returned to court, saying the board
violated the order because 141 students' cases were reviewed between April
2001 and April 2002 and there were no students placed in alternative education.

School officials say they don't have the money for alternative schools.

A proposed new policy states that students may be considered for
alternative educational services as they become available.