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--> --> Drug policy committee chugs along By Amber Fossen Ashland Daily Tidings The Ashland School District's drug and alcohol policy review remains a work in progress. Tuesday's meeting set out to create a framework for the drug and alcohol policy, one that teachers, students, and the community could agree upon. However, as the night came to an end, definitions, ideas and the steps to follow had yet to be outlined. "We're sort of creating building blocks tonight," committee member Jeff Golden said. The policy came under review after the school board overturned two students' expulsions by a 3-2 margin last year. The students were alleged to have smoked marijuana at the national speech and debate tournament in June of 2001 at the Oklahoma City venue. Before the review committee began to outline topics of discussion, some members sought to clarify the viewpoints of those involved. A survey distributed to faculty last week received 103 responses regarding current policy and concerns over its implementation. "The big thing I noted was teachers were upset that a rule was in question," member Betsy Bishop said. Bishop concluded that the survey suggested most teachers want the policy intact, but with a more consonant outcome. "I think teachers want a strong policy that's consistent," Bishop stated, "not the facade of pretending we're going to expel." As concerns were aired, the committee raised questions on the positions of community members and students. "Schools reflect community values," member Heidi Parker said. "The crux of this issue is that the school was not reflecting the community." Parker went on to argue that the majority of the community might not support zero tolerance. Not only were community viewpoints discussed but the reaction by students also came under review. "I worry a little bit about the impact and how the kids are going to react," member Chuck Keil said. The committee has scheduled a student forum next week in an effort to hear the student's voice on the issue. "I would like to see the students perspective on this," member Barbara Christensen said. The Student Forum will begin at 5:30 p.m., Monday, March 18 at the Ashland Middle School. The end of the meeting came with few, if any decisions made. Members left the meeting with homework assignments to examine various topics such as due process, progressive discipline, and purpose or philosophy statements. A progressive discipline meeting will be held at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, March 21 at the Ashland High School, to discuss these matters. The next official Drug and Alcohol Policy Review Committee meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 2, at a location to be announced. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing