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Expulsion hearing set today By DAMIAN MANN ASHLAND - At the request of the attorneys for two high school debate team members, the school board will hold public hearings today over the possible expulsion of these students for alleged drug use. The seniors, both with high academic standings, are suspected of using marijuana in a hotel room in Oklahoma City this June while they were at a debate tournament. Since then the students, parents, administration and school board have been locked in a lengthy battle over their possible expulsion. Letters have been sent to the district from community members, particularly upset that one boy who passed a lie detector test and a drug test to prove his innocence, has not been cleared. School board member Terry Littleton said the situation has been difficult for all sides. "The toughest thing personally has been that we want to be fair about this." The board is expected to make a decision about the expulsions at today's meeting, which will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the district board room, 885 Siskiyou Blvd. Littleton said the hearings were opened to the public at the request of the attorneys. Six of seven students at the tournament were initially suspected of smoking marijuana after a Eugene coach said she smelled it coming from a hotel room. The coach reportedly recognized the voices of some of the students in the room and brought the matter to the attention of Ashland debate team coach John Tredway. After confronting the students, Tredway decided to bring them home early from the competition. Two of the students had already graduated and were not subject to school discipline. One of these students, Andy Howe, said two other team members testified against their fellow students in order to avoid expulsion. Both students who face expulsion are still attending school, awaiting the outcome of the hearing. Another hearing was also held before Joe Crowder, Jackson Education Service District superintendent, who reviewed the case as an independent hearing officer. Although Crowder would not reveal the outcome of the hearing, the fact that it is being brought before the school board indicates that it didn't go favorably for the students. Even if the students are expelled, they can sign a contract devised by the district and parents that would allow them to return to school as long as they meet certain conditions. Once they fulfill the contract, the expulsion is expunged from the student's records. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.