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Results of debate team probe withheld By DAMIAN MANN ASHLAND - An investigation into the alleged use of marijuana by some members of the high school speech and debate team while at a tournament in Oklahoma was concluded this week. But Superintendent Juli Di Chiro said that to protect the confidentiality of everyone involved, she cannot reveal the outcome of the investigation. In related matters, Di Chiro plans to conduct a drug and alcohol survey of the district, and the school board postponed a discussion on a proposed drug and alcohol policy for student leaders. Di Chiro said the school district has been advised by legal counsel that it cannot discuss whether anyone was disciplined as a result of the incident in Oklahoma. "All I can say is, we did finish our investigation of the speech and debate team," she said. Seven students on the team participated in a national competition at the University of Oklahoma in June after they won the team sweepstakes title for the 10th consecutive year at Southern Oregon University. Some of the students at the event were part of the leadership class and some had already graduated from high school. While in Oklahoma, a few of the students were suspected of breaking the drug and alcohol policy, though none were disqualified from the competition. In light of recent events, Di Chiro is pressing for a drug and alcohol study in the district. She acknowledged some students have problems with drugs and alcohol. "I do think we have a problem and I want to work on it," she said. Di Chiro wants to conduct a survey of drug use on the campus because current data is outdated. She said the board also has postponed making a decision on a controversial drug and alcohol policy that she said arose from a yearlong battle by the Phoenix-Talent School District to oust its student body president for bringing marijuana on campus. Originally scheduled for discussion on Monday, the policy will be reviewed by the board at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 10. Di Chiro said school officials decided to give students and parents a chance to voice their opinions about the policy, which requires students to sign a contract saying they will adhere to certain behavior. Di Chiro said a storm of protest about the policy caught the board off guard because a similar policy has been signed by about 70 percent of the students at school involved in athletics and other school activities. "We did not anticipate any big response," she said. Because the matter has not been resolved, Di Chiro said the district didn't include a policy in this year's printing of the student handbook. But Di Chiro said the board plans to adopt a policy that will include a contract that the 30 leadership students must sign. "We're not trying to nab them while they're doing something wrong," said Di Chiro. However, she wants to make it clear that the district does have high expectations of the behavior of its leadership students. Di Chiro said the board will work on making clearer language in the proposed policy, particularly relating to students having to maintain an attitude of respect at all times. 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.