Pubdate: Wed, 31 May 2006
Source: Bandera Bulletin, The (TX)
Copyright: 2006 Bandera Bulletin
Contact:  http://www.banderabulletin.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3013
Author: Robert DeLeon

MEDINA BOARD PRESIDENT RESPONDS

As Board President for Medina Independent School  District, I would
like to respond to the article in the  Bandera Bulletin last week
titled, "Medina ISD denies  lax drug policy enforcement."

I have been a board member at Medina ISD for the past  seven years and
the last two as board president. During  this time I have been
involved in approving, reviewing  and revising our drug, alcohol and
tobacco policies as  well as our drug and alcohol awareness programs
and  prevention measures. As a board member, I have also  been advised
by the administrators whenever drug and  alcohol violations have
occurred at school or school  related activities. Student discipline
records,  however, are confidential and therefore the student  body
and community are not directly aware of  disciplinary action taken
with individual students.

I have complete confidence that our administrators have  acted
promptly and effectively each time that they  become aware of factual
information relating to  alcohol, tobacco and drug violations. The
problem with  the accusations made by Ms. Swander and Mr. Cohn is
that they have not shared names or situations with our
administrators. The statement, "Everybody knows about  it," doesn't
hold water with me. That statement  actually contradicts Ms. Swander's
statement that she  has not personally seen the substance abuse. Which
is  it?

Our district utilizes drug dogs, Drug and Alcohol  Resistance
Education (D.A.R.E.) training, other drug  and alcohol awareness
training and schedules multiple  activities during drug-free schools
week as deterrents  and education against drug and alcohol use.

If you have specific information or concerns about  substance abuse at
Medina ISD, I encourage you to talk  to Mr. Moczygemba. The phone
number is 830-589-2855.  His e-mail address is  his door  is always open to anyone.

Robert DeLeon
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake