DRUG POLICY CHANGED

GREENWOOD - Members of the Greenwood School Board voted Thursday for an
addition to the school policybook concerning all students involved in
extracurricular activities ranging from athletics to choir.

Board members said the paragraph approved will allow flexibility in dealing
with students accused of possession of or use of illegal drugs or alcohol,
as well as the misuse of prescription drugs at any time - on or off school
property and during or after school hours.

Greenwood High School Principal Jerry Efurd spoke for a group of 10 members
who worked on the language of the paragraph.

"Our intent is not to be watchdogs all the time, but to make clear
statements that students representing the school, on or off campus, must
meet our guidelines," Efurd said.

"Violators will be dealt with."

The penalty for first violation "will result in disciplinary action by the
coach or sponsor of that activity or sport, and the student will be placed
on probation for a calendar year. A second offense may result in the
student being removed from that activity or sport."

Board members discussed the merits of using "may result" or "will result"
in the student being removed from that activity or sport.

"We don't want to back ourselves into a corner," Efurd said, saying the
school should leave the wording flexible so each case can be dealt with
individually.

Board member Mary Ann Sandifer said she had mixed feelings about how far
the board should go; she asked if it is wise to intrude in an area that
might be best left for families or the state to deal with.

"We have some families who allow children to participate like (drinking an
alcoholic drink) at weddings," Efurd said. "That's family business and we
don't need to go there. Our arms shouldn't be that long."

The last sentence of the paragraph - "The selling or distribution of these
same products may result in expulsion from the Greenwood School District" -
was deleted.

Board members said expulsion would be decided by the board and did not need
to be included in the paragraph, as it was covered in another area of the
policybook.

Board members voted unanimously to add the paragraph.

In other matters, the board agreed to support Micah Spahn in his Eagle
Scout project that will include three flagpoles, flags and monogrammed
paver bricks at the south end of the football field.

Spahn said he would use funds coming in from the monogrammed pavers to pay
for the project. The entire project is expected to cost about $5,000.

* Accepted a bid of $181,135.65 from the Burgess Co. Inc. for water,
sanitary sewer and drainage improvements for North Main Intermediate and
the multipurpose building. This bid does not include drainage needed for
the auditorium. Two other firms bid the project - Forsgren Inc. at $182,616
and Tanda Inc. at $198,864.