Document text
--> --> Debate team facing inquiry By Maggie McGehee Ashland Daily Tidings Ashland High School's prestigious speech and debate team is under investigation by school and district officials following an incident at the National Speech and Debate Tournament in Norman, Okla. last week. Seven members of the team attended the tournament, including some seniors who graduated on June 8, according to AHS Principal Julie Reynolds. The tournament began Monday, June 11 and ended Friday, June 15. Sometime during the event an undisclosed number of team members were sent home early due to violations to the school's trip policy. The exact nature of the violation is not being disclosed but the school's drug and alcohol policy is at issue, Reynolds said today. "This is unusual ... complicated," Reynolds said. "I wouldn't want to say anything at this point, just that we're investigating ... It's a matter I wouldn't want to get out in the public." The Ashland School District's drug and alcohol policy has been a topic of debate since it was implemented. Under the policy, any student found drinking alcohol or using drugs on school campus or at school events can be expelled for one year. Students can be readmitted under the policy if they sign and adhere to a special contract with the school district. The AHS speech and debate team has won numerous state championships and regional awards - including three consecutive state titles - and received national attention in 1999 when the team flew to Cuba to debate with students there. The Tidings contacted Reynolds and Speech and Debate Coach John Tredway earlier this week seeking comment on allegations of drug and alcohol use by the team while on the trip. At that time, Tredway had no comment on the tournament or the allegations and referred all calls to Reynolds. On Thursday, Reynolds had no comment on the allegations. "I have no idea what (the allegations) were referring to," she told The Tidings. "I haven't discussed the results of the tournament, but (she and Tredway) talked about the trip." When the Tidings asked about the trip, Reynolds said "Nothing (happened) I'm going to comment on. Nothing (wrong) I know of. There is no story." Kiley Pinder, 10, Hannah Stocking, 9, and Ruby Stocking, 11 (left to right) settle for digging in the dirt on the shore of the Lithia Park reservoir since swimming is currently prohibited. Ashland Daily Tidings/AMY ALONZO 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