Pubdate: Thu, 17 Aug 2006
Source: Republican-American (CT)
Copyright: 2006 American-Republican Inc.
Contact:  http://www.rep-am.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/571
Author: Kathy Halloran
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?237 (Drug Dogs)

WOODLAND HIGH SCHOOL GOES TO DRUG-SNIFFING DOG

PROSPECT -- A four-legged soldier in the war against  drugs will make 
the rounds at Woodland High School this  fall.

The Region 16 Board of Education approved a plan  Wednesday to allow 
state police to bring a  drug-sniffing dog into the high school, 
which serves  students from Beacon Falls and Prospect.

High school Principal Arnold Frank is in the process of  drafting a 
letter that would be sent home to parents in  September or October, 
informing them of the new policy.

Frank and Board of Education members emphasized  bringing the dog 
into the schools was not in response  to any incidents or trends at the school.

Rather, the move was a proactive measure to discourage  students from 
bringing illegal substances to school.

"This is not a reaction to any perceived problem or  specific trend," 
said board Chairman David Byrne.

"We have very safe schools, and this measure will  continue to allow 
us to make our schools as safe and  drug free as possible."

Last year, Woodland had 1,944 written referrals, filed  by a teacher, 
administrator or hall monitor; but of the  789 students, more than 
500 received no referrals.

"We haven't had many incidents," Frank said. "We have  had a handful, 
and this is meant to discourage that.  It's a very proactive measure."

A policy adopted in 2000 by the Connecticut Association  of Boards of 
Education allows all school areas to be  searched, including lockers, 
empty classrooms, parking  lots and storage areas.

The dog would make the rounds of the school once per  season -- fall, 
winter and spring -- on an unannounced  tour. It was not clear 
Wednesday where the dog would  come from.

During searches, the dog is kept on a leash and would  do the 
searching while students are in class. It goes  through intensive 
training, officials have said.

Board member Marie Delage said using a drug-sniffing  dog in schools 
is not a new concept, and other  districts have done so. Newtown, 
Waterbury and  Southington are among several districts that have used 
drug-sniffing dogs.

"I think it's a wonderful thing and will be very well  received," she said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom