Board Adopts Changes to Policy 7320

 

In March, a group of concerned community members spoke at a Board of Education meeting requesting that the district review Policy 7320 which relates to alcohol and drug use by students. The board appointed a Drug & Alcohol Task Force, to be chaired by Tim Terranova, Principal, Dake Junior High School and Rita Dulaney, WICSD Substance Abuse Prevention Counselor. Task force members included district teachers, administrators, students and parents. The committee met four times to review relevant literature and studies and to discuss their findings. 

 

The Drug & Alcohol Task Force presented its recommendations to the board on June 4. Over the next month (at Board of Education meetings on June 18 and 25) the board listened to concerns voiced during the public comment portion of the meeting and reviewed the committee's recommendations. On July 7, 2009 the board voted 7-0 to accept the Drug and Alcohol Task Force recommendations and approved changes to Policy 7320 (Alcohol and Other Drugs). The board also approved funding to support the additional resources that will be added to the program. 

 

Suspension term lengths will remain the same:

  • IHS - 20 weeks out of school suspension, typically reduced to 7 weeks for students who follow a required plan of support

  • Dake Jr. High - 15 weeks out of school suspension, typically reduced to 5 weeks for those who follow a required plan of support

Policy Enhancements:

  • Students on out of school suspension are tutored by district faculty. That tutoring time will increase from 2 hours per day to 4 hour hours per day.

  • Students will receive life skills instruction/counseling during the suspension period (and beyond if necessary).

  • Students in select grades will participate in an annual survey, to be conducted in March regarding drug and alcohol use and attitudes

Study and Review:

  • February 4, 2010 - The board will receive a report from district leadership on the results of the enhanced policy.

  • June 3, 2010 - The board will receive a second report on the results of the policy including data from the survey administered in March and anecdotal evidence from district practitioners.

Parents are reminded that Rita Dulaney, WICSD Substance Abuse Prevention Counselor, is available to counsel families prior to a student being charged with violating district policy. A request for help will not initiate consequences. Mrs. Dulaney can be reached at 585-336-2927 or rita_dulaney@westiron.monroe.edu. Families are encouraged to contact her for guidance and support if they suspect their child has a problem.

 

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