Pubdate: Fri, 18 Oct 2002
Source: The Star Democrat (MD)
Copyright: 2002 The Star Democrat
Contact:  http://www.stardem.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1233
Author: Greg Maki

TALBOT'S SCHOOL ATHLETIC POLICY WILL NOW INCLUDE TREATMENT PROVISION

EASTON - Another meeting of the Talbot County Board of Education has come 
and gone without resolution to the athletic policy issue. But there is a 
light at the end of the tunnel. The board members reached a consensus 
Wednesday night on how they want the policy to read. Now, School 
Superintendent Dr. J. Sam Meek must revise the policy and Rochelle 
Eisenberg, the school board's attorney, must review it before it can be 
voted on at the next meeting.

The amended policy will state that a student who is assigned by the 
superintendent to another school for disciplinary reasons will be 
ineligible for sports and other extracurricular activities for 180 school 
days. A student will not be excluded from the same sport for two 
consecutive school years.

According to the policy, this "is intended as a lesser alternative 
discipline for any student who has consumed or has in his/her possession on 
school property drugs or alcohol that would otherwise result in expulsion."

Added to the policy after a presentation by Janet Pfeffer, director of the 
Talbot Partnership for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Prevention, is a 
provision that will allow the suspension to be cut to 90 days if the 
student participates in a free assessment program, known as "TurnAround," 
offered by the Talbot County Health Department in conjunction with the 
Talbot Partnership.

A student who fails to complete the program must serve the full 180-day 
suspension.

The program includes drug testing, but the results will be used internally 
by the health department and will not be released to the schools.

Participation in TurnAround is initiated by a parent, who must call 
410-819-5903 to schedule an appointment with a Maryland Certified 
Addictions counselor. The parent will be interviewed for background 
information and receive educational materials.

The student will sign a consent to disclose information on program 
attendance, drug test results, treatment recommendations and progress to 
the parent and consent to disclose information on program attendance to a 
school representative.

After the student is interviewed to determine if there is a problem, the 
parent and student will be given treatment recommendations, which could 
include a six week education program; a 12 week treatment program, 
including self-help group attendance and drug testing; or referral to an 
inpatient facility.

The option for treatment "shows love" and allows the "kids to stay linked 
to the schools," Pfeffer said.

The policy "has teeth and it also shows caring," said board member Steven 
Harris.

During a workshop held before the regular meeting, the school board heard 
comments from school employees, community leaders and concerned citizens.

Talbot County Sheriff Thomas Duncan said the issue was discussed Tuesday 
during a meeting of local law enforcement agencies, and they agreed with 
the school board that action needs to be taken.

"Extreme actions, extreme measures," Duncan said.

Kathy Smith, president of the Talbot County Education Association, gave her 
full support to Meek's proposed policy, saying a clear message that 
"substance abuse always carries consequences" must be sent.

Gail Phillips, Talbot County Schools physical education specialist, 
presented information from the Maryland State Department of Education which 
identified Talbot County as a "hot spot" for drug and alcohol abuse based 
on the results of the 2001 Maryland Adolescent Survey. Phillips implored 
the school board to adopt the proposed policy "without any reservations."

Mary K. "Molly" Groton, a member of the Talbot Family Network Community 
Ambassador Advisory Committee, president of the Easton Middle School Parent 
Teacher Association and Talbot County School parent, read a 
unanimously-approved statement from the advisory committee.

"We suggest that you encourage children to select the option of a substance 
abuse assessment, education and treatment program that would reduce the 
length of extracurricular suspension for children who complete the 
program," Groton said.

"We believe that trying to change children's behavior through education or 
treatment along with providing punishment through loss of privileges fits 
beautifully with helping children learn and grow from their mistakes and 
succeed in overcoming poor decisions."
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