Pubdate: Wed, 20 Mar 2002 Source: Decatur Daily (AL) Copyright: 2002 The Decatur Daily Contact: http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/index.shtml Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/696 Author: Holly Hollman, DAILY Staff Writer Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) STUDENT GIVES POT TIP, GETS THREAT LETTER, CLAIMS ATHENS PRINCIPAL Police Vowed Confidentiality ATHENS -- A student who told authorities fellow students had marijuana at school is being threatened, his parents said, but Athens Superintendent James Irby said he won't change his policy of telling students who accused them. On March 7, the Athens City Board of Education expelled an Athens Middle School student for the remainder of this year for having marijuana on school grounds. The student must complete one semester at EAGLE Academy. Irby said police are testing the contents of a substance found at school to ensure it is marijuana. The superintendent also recommended that the board expel a second student, but the board voted against the expulsion. Parents of a third student -- the one who told the principal the boys had marijuana -- criticized Irby for telling those boys who snitched. The parents' letter said that Principal Joe Jackson and an Athens police officer promised their son Feb. 20 that his identity would be confidential if he shared information about the marijuana. The letter said that March 4, their son received America Online instant message they interpreted as threatening. They couldn't print the messages to give the superintendent, the letter said. - --- MAP posted-by: Jackl