Trustees Ease Zero Tolerance

The Tustin Unified School District’s board of trustees altered its zero-tolerance policy Monday night, giving administrators more flexibility when disciplining students who have been caught possessing or using drugs or alcohol.

The board voted 3 to 2, with Tammie Bullard and Jonathan Abelove dissenting, to change the policy so students who violate drug or alcohol rules may be transferred to another school and automatically suspended for five days. The previous zero-tolerance policy required students caught possessing or using a controlled substance to be suspended for five days and automatically transferred.

“I think we have tried the tough black-and-white, zero-tolerance policy, and we’ve found we don’t like it,� trustee Ann Albertson said. “If we say they may be transferred, the Student Placement Review Committee can decide if they should.�

Leni Herman, a mother with children at Foothill High School and Hewes Middle School, told the board the policy should not be changed.

“This is a time to take a stern step,� Herman said. “I would like to reiterate consumption of alcohol is illegal and would like my kids to know what the law is.�

Other policy changes include requiring all students who have been disciplined to sign a behavior contract. The policy goes on to say that students using a controlled substance during or while going to or coming from a “school-related activity� will be disciplined and require drug counseling for students and parents. Previously, parents did not have to undergo counseling.

The board also requested a legal opinion about implementing mandatory, random drug testing for students who have violated the policy.

The amended zero-tolerance policy will be reevaluated at the next board meeting Nov. 8. The issue has been a topic of debate since eight Foothill High student leaders were suspended, but not transferred, in connection with alcohol consumption at a retreat in August.

Foothill High parent Tom Eldridge urged the board to be consistent in whatever policy it adopts and suggested issuing a point system, punishing students with a certain amount of points depending on the policy violation.

“If we can somehow intervene, it might save a child from going the wrong way,� he said.

Marissa Espino can be reached at (714) 966-5879.

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A More Flexible Approach

The Tustin Unified School District board of trustees approved various changes Monday night to the zero-tolerance policy.

Administrators have been given more flexibility when deciding if a student who was caught using or possessing drugs and alcohol should be transferred.

The board also strengthened the policy by requiring parents to participate in drug counseling with their children and requiring all students to sign a behavior contract.

AT A GLANCE

Any student who uses, is under the influence of, or possesses alcohol, drug paraphernalia, or less than one ounce of marijuana, and who has not had any prior violations, shall be subject to the following disciplinary actions:

1. Police or sheriff notified. 2. mandatory suspension for five days and meeting with Student Placement Review Committee.

3. May be transferred to another district school for 90 school days. (the previous policy “automatically� transferred students)

4. Drug counseling for students and parents. (Parent involvement was not included in the previous policy)

5. Mandatory signing of a behavior contract. If a student is transferred, the student is prohibited from participating in activities at, sponsored by, or related to the school from which the student was transferred. If the student wants to return after 90 school days, he or she may file a petition one month before. (the previous policy did not force the signing of a behavior contract)

Source: Tustin Unified School District

Reporting by MARISSA ESPINO/For the Los Angeles Times