Pubdate: Thu, 13 May 2004 Source: Post and Courier, The (Charleston, SC) Copyright: 2004 Evening Post Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.charleston.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/567 Author: Seanna Adcox Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raids.htm (Drug Raids) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/goose+creek STRATFORD RAID TALKS END WITHOUT A COMPROMISE Attorneys Reach Impasse In Suit Over Police Search At School Lawyers ended talks without a compromise Wednesday in the federal lawsuit over November's controversial drug raid at Stratford High School in Goose Creek. Attorneys for Stratford students, the Goose Creek Police Department and Berkeley County School District began mediation sessions Monday morning under court order. They reached an impasse by Wednesday afternoon. "One party wants a trial, and that's what they'll get," said Frederick Jekel, a lawyer for the students. "We will begin the process right away." Attorneys on all sides said they could not discuss details of the mediation sessions. The lawsuit stems from a drug sweep at Berkeley County's largest high school early Nov. 5. Goose Creek police officers searching for drugs charged into Stratford's main hallway, several with guns drawn. Officers ordered students to the floor while a police dog searched book bags. Some students were put in plastic restraints and later released. Police found no drugs and made no arrests, but school surveillance camera recordings of the event brought national media attention and criticism. Two separate groups of 18 and 20 students in the hallway at the time filed federal lawsuits, contending their constitu-tional rights were violated. The two suits were combined in March. "In my opinion, it was clearly in the best interests of the district to resolve all litigation without the expense, inconvenience and disruption of a lengthy litigation process," Berkeley County schools Superintendent Chester Floyd, who participated in the sessions, said in a statement. "I regret that we were unsuccessful in our efforts." The district's lawyer, Duke Highfield, said he remains hopeful a settlement can be reached. Discussions lasted for more than seven hours both Monday and Tuesday, then concluded by 2 p.m. Wednesday. "I believe we would've kept at it had the mediator thought there was a serious possibility we could reach an agreement," said Gregg Meyers, another attorney for the students. "He saw no point. This was our early and best shot at reaching an agreement. It didn't work. "I really was hoping to resolve the case," said Meyers, who also is a Charleston County School Board member. "I'm very sympathetic to the taxpayers. We could've gotten it done without any taxes involved. Not a nickel of tax money was at risk." Attorney Donna Givens, representing the city of Goose Creek and its police department, could not be reached for comment. In February, the Berkeley County School Board unanimously approved new guidelines on how administrators and police officers should conduct future student searches. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin