District policy: an utter failure 5

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--> --> District policy: an utter failure As another one who grew up in Ashland, went through Ashland schools, owns a home and is the parent of an Ashland High School student, I would like to add my voice to those applauding the school board's decision not to expel the two debate students. It has become clear that the zero tolerance policy, and the climate of alienation, mistrust and division that has come with it is a complete failure of the imagination. Zero tolerance claims to have the best interests of our children at heart, yet relies on accusation, interrogation and methods more suited to a Russian gulag or a George Orwell novel than an American public school. When we treat our high school kids as irresponsible criminals who are guilty until proven innocent, that is just what we will end up with. It's time for zero tolerance to go. Mike Fitch Ashland 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