STUDENTS IN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES SAY THEY SHOULD BE HELD TO HIGHER
STANDARDS

Conduct Rules Score With Teens

There's a new code of conduct for Joplin High School students who
participate in athletics, dance, cheerleading, pompon, speech and debate,
vocal music and instrumental music. And, at least in part, some students
say they are in agreement with the new policy.

Adopted Nov. 13 by the Joplin R-8 Board of Education, the policy outlines
punishments for violations that include use of alcohol, drug use or
possession, tobacco use or possession, and felony and misdemeanor
violations. The policy is similar to citizenship codes in other area
schools, and is aimed specifically at students who participate in
extracurricular activities.

Punishments meted out by the school would include suspensions from games or
contests, but students still would be required to attend practices unless
the coach or activity sponsor decided to dismiss them from the squad.

The policy calls students who are involved in extracurricular activities
"ambassadors" for their school and community.

"They are in the public eye and thus their personal conduct must always be
above reproach," the policy reads. "They have an obligation to create a
favorable image and gain the respect of fellow students, teammates and
members of the Joplin community."

Joplin High School seniors Greg Garrison, Stephanie Harter, Tessa Baugh and
Jeff Taylor said they agree with that statement. Garrison is in band and
show choir; Harter performs in show choir and dance; Baugh is in
volleyball, basketball and show choir; and Taylor plays basketball and
baseball.

A committee composed of school officials, parents, coaches and a student
worked several months on the policy before presenting it to the school
board. Taylor was the student on the committee. The committee's proposal to
the board did not cover speech and debate, vocal music or instrumental
music. The board added those activities after some discussion. Students
said they supported the expansion of the list.

"I think the policy should apply to the entire school," Garrison said.

Harter said students in the groups covered by the policy are those the
public sees most often.

"For show choir, we go to elementary schools and we perform for adults all
the time," she said. "That's something that shouldn't be allowed if you're
using drugs or alcohol."

In its debate, the school board also decided to treat alcohol use or
possession the same as drug use or possession in terms of punishment. The
punishment for a first offense is suspension for 30 percent of the season.
A second offense would result in suspension for a calendar year. The
punishment for a third offense is permanent restriction from school activities.

The students said they agreed that drug and alcohol use should result in
the same punishment.

"I think they should be treated the same," Taylor said. "Alcohol is a drug."

He said alcohol affects decision making, harms the body and affects behavior.

"And, it's illegal," Baugh added. "We're not allowed to drink."

"Alcohol is a drug," Harter said. "Just because it's so widely used, that's
not an excuse."

The students said alcohol is a bigger problem among students than drugs.
"Among all high school students, alcohol is bigger than drugs," Taylor
said. "It's more available, and I guess they don't think it's quite as bad.
It's more widely used."

The punishment for a first offense of distributing drugs is suspension from
the activity for a calendar year. A second offense would result in
permanent restriction from activities.

The punishment for tobacco use or possession is suspension for 10 percent
of the season for a first offense, suspension for 20 percent of the season
for a second offense, suspension for 30 percent of the season for a third
offense, and suspension for a full year for a fourth offense.

No "witch hunts"

Under the code, a review committee comprising the principal, athletic
director, coach or sponsor and a central office administrator decides the
punishment for a misdemeanor violation.

For felony violations, the student would be suspended upon the filing of
the charge, barred permanently from the school activity if convicted and
reinstated if acquitted.

Juvenile criminal records are closed to the public.

"The student will immediately report any violation of law to the athletic
director," the policy reads.

Asked if that was likely to happen, Taylor said it happened last year
before the policy was in place, and officials didn't know what to do.

"Last year, we had a violation and the kid came forward," Taylor said. "I
mean, nobody even knew about it. The kid confessed, told the coach. He just
took his punishment. My experience so far is that works. You know how
Joplin is. You're going to find out sooner or later."

Jim Simpson, R-8 superintendent, has said the district will not investigate
reports of violations by students or parents, or consider hearsay
allegations. Simpson said the district doesn't have the resources or the
desire to investigate such allegations. Board members have said they will
not use the policy as a way to go on "witch hunts."

Evidence of a violation must include direct observation by a school staff
member or legal action. Simpson said school officials also will not
actively look for students violating the code.

Students have the right to appeal any punishment under the policy. Also,
when a punishment prevents students from participating in an activity for
which they receive a grade, the policy calls for the teacher to make an
alternative assignment.

Currently in place for student athletes is a program of voluntary drug
testing. If the test determines a student is using drugs, the school levies
no punishment but calls the student's parents. Baugh said that gives her
another tool for resisting peer pressure.

Taylor said a group of students formed a committee to propose mandatory
drug testing for athletes. Students have circulated petitions at the
school, and they plan to present the proposal to school administrators or
the school board sometime in the future.

Firm ground

Susan Hoffmeister, parent of a student athlete and president of the
athletic booster club, said she is happy with the final form of the code as
approved by the school board. She served on the committee that developed
the policy.

She said she hopes the policy will serve as a deterrent and help students
make the right decisions.

"It pretty much lays out in black and white what the punishment will be,"
Hoffmeister said. "Hopefully, enforcement will be real consistent. We're
not going to be policing the students."

Mark Taylor, whose son plays sports, also served on the committee. He said
the group had the best interests of the students and the school district in
mind when developing the code. He said he agrees with the changes made by
the school board.

He said no policy will ensure that all students will make right choices or
prevent some students from making wrong choices.

"It makes clear what's expected of them," Taylor said.

Doug Doss, R-8 athletic director, said he's glad the policy gained school
board approval after months of work by many people.

"This gives us some firm ground to stand on," Doss said.