District alters conduct code

Marisa O’Neil

Students caught drinking, using drugs or under the influence of

either on campus or at school functions now have an alternative to

the automatic school transfer they previously faced under the

district’s code of student conduct.

Under the previous version of Rule and Regulation 4210, students

under the influence on campus or at school functions faced a five-day

suspension and involuntary transfer to another district school for 90

days. Now, if students complete two new educational programs, they

can return to their home school in as little as one-third that time.

“We’re excited to see the district move beyond zero-tolerance into

counseling and providing help for students,” Harbor Council PTA

President Patty Christiansen said.

The district board of trustees on Tuesday night approved a

contract with the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug

Dependence-Orange County for the two programs, which will educate

students and their parents about drug and alcohol use. The revision

came after a series of town hall meetings and board study sessions

over the last year.

“It’s another opportunity to provide some assistance to students

and families and provide other means in terms of enhancing our 4210

policy,” said school board member Martha Fluor, whose son had a

problem with drugs. “While it’s very strict, it left very few options

and very little support at the back end.”

The two programs are Second Chances, a three-day program for

students that is based on a similar program in the Tustin Unified

School District, and the Juvenile Alcohol and Drug Education program,

which covers two evenings and parents attend with their children.

It has been used with great success in the Capistrano Unified

School District for the past two years, Fluor said.

Students who successfully complete both programs and 20 hours of

community service -- on top of the 40 required for graduation -- can

significantly shorten the 90 school days spent at a different school,

said Mike Murphy, director of student services for the district.

Rather than the roughly 18-week transfer, Murphy said, students

could apply to return to their home school after as little as six

weeks.

The first Second Chances session will take place in March, he

said, so students with drug and alcohol violations for the rest of

the year can choose the program.

Guest speakers at the Second Chances and Juvenile Alcohol and Drug

Addiction programs will help drive home the point that students

should stay away from drugs and alcohol, said Margie Diaz, director

of adolescent services for the National Council on Alcoholism and

Drug Dependence-Orange County. Trauma nurses, a member of the

coroner’s office and a 20-year-old girl left brain damaged after a

drug overdose give presentations about the effects of both.

A worker also brings in drug-addicted babies for the children to

see.

“They see this kid running around, giving them high-fives and

everything and she explains that a year from now it will be in a

wheelchair and that it screams 22 hours straight because it’s so

addicted,” Diaz said.

Students must also undergo drug testing, which often come back

positive and serve as a wake up call to parents in denial, she said.

Both programs will be funded with money from an anonymous donor

through the end of the year, Murphy said. If they work out, the

district will try to get funding for them to continue.