STARPOINT SCHOOLS: BOARD TO REVISIT ATHLETIC DRUG POLICY

PENDLETON -- Is a one-game suspension enough for an athlete who
violates the interscholastic athletic policy?

Starpoint Board of Education member Diane Braun suggested the
possibility of a zero-tolerance policy during Monday night's meeting.
Armed with the athletics policy from Williamsville's school district,
Braun asked the board to consider toughening the policy.

"What are we saying to kids?" Braun asked. "That it's okay to drink one time?"

Every year, Starpoint athletes and their parents must sign a
permission form to let the students compete. Besides outlining injury
procedures, the document described two three-tiered policies: One for
alcohol and cigarette smoking and the other for illegal drug use.

A student who has or is under the influence of alcohol or tobacco
products is subject to a hearing by the athletic committee, a 10-day
suspension from games and possible counseling. The second offense
within one year is suspension for the season with counseling required
if the student wants to return the following year, as well as
revocation of all awards and review by the athletic committee. The
third offense within two years is suspension from sports for one year
and review by the athletic committee.

A student who violates the drug policy the first time will be
suspended for the remainder of the season, with counseling required
if he or she wants to return. The second offense within two years is
suspension for one year. The third offense is permanent suspension
from all athletics for the remainder of his secondary education.

Board member Gary Braun said he supports the tiered effort the
district currently has.

"You always want to stay away from death penalties," Gary Braun said.
"There is a lot of due process and intervention in there already."

Pendleton resident Maureen Ewart, who is board member Mark Ewart's
wife, said her experiences with children have taught her that teams
sometimes get together to drink.

"What if the whole team is caught together," Ewart said. "Fifteen
kids? Would we no longer have a team all year?"

"It's been done before," Diane Braun replied.

Ray Turpin, with the Pendleton Athletic Boosters Association, said he
supported the idea of a zero-tolerance policy.

"To have that privilege of wearing the S means you have to step a
little bit higher," Turpin said. "...It's illegal for children to
smoke and drink. For us to catch them smoking, to pat them on the
head and say no..."

As a coach, Turpin said he has spoken to former PABA athletes who do
illegal things. He also referenced an incident last year when several
athletes allegedly came to a school dance while drunk and later
passed out in the parking lot.

High School Assistant Principal William Chick said both the students'
parents and police were called; the students were not permitted to
drive home and were suspended for more than one game.

Superintendent C. Douglas Whelan said he would gather alcohol and
drug policies from other local districts to compare them and be
discussed at a future meeting.