Pubdate: Mon, 13 May 2002
Source: Reno Gazette-Journal (NV)
Contact:  2002 Reno Gazette-Journal
Website: http://www.rgj.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/363
Author: Ray Hagar
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

CARSON SCHOOL OFFICIALS BEAR DOWN HARDER ON DRUG SALES

Carson High School's stiffer penalties for drug sales, set to take effect in
September, are not tough enough, the president of the Carson City school
board said Monday.

Beginning next school year, any students caught selling drugs at the school
will be hit with an immediate 90-day suspension and will be forced to attend
the district's alternative school. 

Students arrested for drug possession, however, will only face a 10-day,
at-home suspension, vice principal Fred Perdomo said. That suspension can be
cut to four days if the student attends drug education classes, Perdomo
said.

Robert Crowell, president of the school board, said he wants the punishment
for selling drugs at school the same as for bringing a weapon to school:
expulsion pending school board approval.

"It's an excellent start, but it may not be enough," Crowell said. "We have
zero tolerance for weapons. We should have zero tolerance for drugs."

"Frankly, I would feel better if there were a stiffer penalty," Crowell
said. "Drugs have the potential to hurt our students just as much as guns
do."

The new rule in the student handbook comes after seven Carson High students
were arrested after a drug-sniffing dog found less than an ounce of
marijuana in the school last winter. Six other juveniles were arrested in
unrelated cases in subsequent weeks, deputies said.

"We do not wants drugs in our school and we are going to arrest anybody who
brings drugs into our school or comes to school under the influence,"
Superintendent Mary Pierczynski said. "We want to spell that out even more
clearly. Students should know the rules and know what is going to happen to
them if they break those rules."

School board members Norm Scoggin and Joanna Wilson said Monday night they
would not comment on the new rule until they spoke with Carson High
administrators.

"It's easy to sit on the sidelines and offer suggestions," Scoggin said.
"But the guy in the trenches, he's the one you really have to talk to first.
If that (90-day suspension) is their recommendation, I certainly support
it."

Added Wilson: "I'm glad to see that something is being done. As to whether
or not it is tough enough, we'll have to wait and see."

The seven Carson High students arrested are back in school, Perdomo said,
adding it was the first offense for each of the students.

Sheila Banister, Carson City's chief probation officer, said the seven
students were all given probation of various lengths and must undergo random
tests for drug and alcohol use. The students who possessed driver's licenses
had them suspended for six months. The others will have their driver's
eligibility delayed six months when they are old enough to get a license,
Banister added.

Perdomo said it is difficult to arrest and suspend students who appear to be
under the influence. He wants a school nurse or one of the school's on-site
police officers to undergo complete drug-recognition training before the
beginning of the next school year.
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