Pubdate: Fri, 03 Jan 2003
Source: Wilmington Morning Star (NC)
Copyright: 2003 Wilmington Morning Star
Contact:  http://www.wilmingtonstar.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/500
Author: Sherry Jones

SCHOOL PENALTY MAY GET TOUGHER

Having banned items, even by accident, could bring punishment

New Hanover County students who unknowingly or accidentally bring weapons or
drugs to school may face the same punishment as those who bring prohibited
items to school on purpose.

The Board of Education is considering a policy revision that says students
are responsible for checking their cars, clothes and book bags for weapons
and other contraband before coming to school.

Regardless of their intentions, students found with prohibited items would
be treated as if they willfully brought the items to campus or willfully
failed to inspect their belongings.

The students could receive the same punishment as those who willfully bring
a weapon or drugs to school.

The school board is scheduled to review the proposed revision at its Jan. 6
meeting.

The proposed policy change stems from several incidents in which students
have said they didn't know they had a weapon at school, and the school board
later reversed the suspensions, said Al Lerch, assistant superintendent for
student support services.

School officials said they want to change the policy because they worry word
is getting out and forgetfulness will become a more common excuse when
students are caught with prohibited items.

By making students accountable for what they bring to school, the revision
is designed to make it more difficult for students to claim ignorance, Dr.
Lerch recently told the policy committee.

"It puts the duty on students to examine their clothes and backpacks before
they come onto the campus, so it will not matter if they knew the weapon was
there," he said. "It's a creative way to close the loophole."

Administrators had recommended an even stronger change. They wanted students
who unknowingly bring weapons or drugs on campus to automatically receive
the same punishment as other students.

But some school board members said that would be too strict.

"I don't like it," board member Maryann Nunnally said. "I think we need some
leeway."

Although she couldn't divulge the specific details, Ms. Nunnally noted an
incident in which a student was caught with a knife in his book bag.

"I was convinced the child had no idea the knife was there," she said,
explaining that the school board needs to be able to reinstate a student's
good standing in these situations.

Board member Don Hayes agreed that the school board should still decide if
an exception would be made.

The proposal the school board will consider lets principals suspend
students, but it gives the school board the authority to overturn the
suspension if there are extenuating circumstances.
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MAP posted-by: Josh