HAZE ENVELOPES SUSPENSION POLICY

There's often more to a student suspension than meets the eye, says a
superintendent with the Ottawa-Carleton Catholic School Board.

There were many questions being asked after 15-year-old Chris Laurin was
given a two-day suspension from St. Matthew High School because a police
dog smelled the scent of marijuana on his jacket during a routine check at
the school.

While refusing to talk specifically about this case, superintendent Mike
Baine said principals take many factors into consideration before imposing
suspensions and don't treat such punishments "frivolously."

"(Principals) have to review all of the factors that could be at play," he
said. "Sometimes those factors expand beyond the actual incident."

Baine said schools are directed by the board and the provincial government
to be pro-active in preventing drug use. It's even more pronounced with
last year's passing of the Safe Schools Act. Baine said if a suspended
student's parents feel the punishment is unwarranted, they can appeal to
the board to have it rescinded.