Trustees object to lawyers’ zero-tolerance stand

Danette Goulet

NEWPORT-MESA -- Some school district officials scoffed at the American

Bar Assn.’s opposition Monday to the controversial zero-tolerance policy

in schools, insisting the policy works.

“This is just more postmodern liberalism lightening up of the rules in

favor of a teenager’s personal autonomy,” said school board member Wendy

Leece. “We’re heading down a slippery slope. Our zero-tolerance policy

here sends a powerful message to kids -- don’t.”

The American Bar Assn. passed a resolution at its annual meeting in

San Diego on Monday opposing zero-tolerance policies in schools. Across

the nation, these policies call for the immediate expulsion or suspension

of students for weapons, drugs or alcohol.

In the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, where the policy has been

under discussion for a year, the zero-tolerance policy calls for an

immediate suspension and school transfer for a student caught with, or

under the influence of, drugs or alcohol.

If a student is caught a second time, that student faces more serious

penalties, including expulsion.

Any student found to have a weapon in the district is immediately

expelled, as per the education code, trustee Judy Franco said.

Though he couldn’t be reached for comment, trustee Jim Ferryman has

been an outspoken opponent of the policy in the past.

“I don’t get where that helps the student. There’s other ways you can

deal with it that can be more meaningful and still be very severe,” said

Ferryman as he called for a review of the policy more than a year ago.

Despite the American Bar Assn.’s objections that the policy is unfair

and unjust, most board members said it is not only fair, but effective in

a district that was rife with problems before the policy was implemented.

“I continue to be intolerant of kids using weapons, drugs and alcohol

at school,” Leece said. “I think it’s irresponsible for adults to make

excuses for kids who break rules and lighten up just because teens’

college plans are jeopardized by a bad choice. The zero tolerance is a

fair consequence.”

Students and parents are also well aware of the policy, said school

board member Dana Black, and must sign off that they have read and

understand it.

Trustee Serene Stokes agreed that the policy has been successful but

added that it may be time to look at the policy’s absolutist nature

again, now that the severe problems of the past have diminished.

QUESTION

TIME FOR A CHANGE?

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