Pubdate: Thu, 16 Nov 2006
Source: Kentucky Post (KY)
Copyright: 2006 Kentucky Post
Contact:  http://www.kypost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/661
Author: Kevin Eigelbach
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States)

NEWPORT SCHOOL BOARD STUDIES NEW DRUG RULES

In reaction to an underage drinking scandal that police said included 
a school board member, two teachers and high school students, the 
Newport school board took steps Wednesday to tighten the district's 
drug and alcohol policies.

At the recommendation of Superintendent Michael Brandt, the board 
authorized him to:

Research drug-testing policies in other districts.

Form a task force to study a random drug-testing policy for students.

Create a code of conduct for students who want to participate in 
sports and other extra-curricular activities.

The last would enable the district's schools to discipline students 
who violate the code at any time, not just while on school property 
or at school activities.

Both students and their parents would have to sign the code document, 
Brandt said.

He gave the board a copy of a draft code, which he said he hoped to 
have in effect sometime in December. It would prohibit students from 
having or being under the influence of drugs, alcohol or tobacco. It 
also would prohibit acts of vandalism and possession of a weapon.

Those who sign the policy also could never wear clothes "adorned with 
sexually suggestive slogans, profanity, lewd pictures," or which 
might offend another student's religion, race or national origin.

Brandt hoped the task force would have recommendations by February so 
that the board could approve a policy before extracurricular 
activities begin next school year.

Staff need to study the drug-testing issue, Brandt said, because "we 
don't want to knee-jerk and come in here with something half-baked."

Extra-curricular activities are a privilege, not a right, he said.

The board approved Brandt's proposals 3-0, with members Jim Hesch and 
Mary Crank absent.

There was little discussion, except that board member Robert Usleaman 
said he wanted Brandt to define extracurricular activity in the final 
version of the code of conduct.

Dan Beach, who has a son in the Newport High School band, told the 
board he thought the board should extend drug testing to school 
staff. "It would be a good example for the students if the teachers 
were tested as well," he said.

The issue of students' drinking and using drugs surfaced Nov. 3, when 
Newport police charged Brandon Hall with second- and third-degree 
unlawful transaction with a minor. Hall, 25, of Dayton, was arrested 
at Newport High School, where he had taught math for three years and 
served as the head volleyball coach. Police said that Hall admitted 
buying alcohol for students, drinking it with them and also using 
money they gave him to buy marijuana for them.

On Nov. 8, police charged school board member Hesch and his wife, 
Helen, a teacher at Newport Middle School, with third-degree unlawful 
transaction with a minor. They are accused of letting their son, a 
football player, regularly drink alcohol with Hall and other students 
at their home on Grandview Avenue.

Police said Hall regularly met students at the Hesch home to smoke 
pot and drink.

Hall resigned his teaching job on Friday, and Helen Hesch was 
suspended from teaching without pay for 20 days, pending a review of 
her status.

The situation took on greater drama because football coach John 
Schlarman allowed the Hesches' son to start in Newport High's playoff 
loss Friday against Mercer County.

Some parents complained, saying that demonstrated a double standard 
for athletes, but school officials said they couldn't police student 
behavior off campus or outside school events. The new code of conduct 
would change that.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom