Board ponders drug, cell phone policies
PRESCOTT – Policy changes are being examined to crack down on cell phones and drugs in the Prescott School District.
The Prescott School Board, at its June meeting Tuesday night, discussed possible changes to the district’s policies concerning cell phones and drugs, along with truances and absenteeism. The potential drug policy would affect those in extracurricular activities as possibly 90-95 percent would be tested randomly on a monthly basis.
As Prescott High School Principal Tommy Poole said, this is only a starting point and is roughly based on the drug policy used by Georgia Pacific. He said just kicking students out for drugs won’t change their behavior and the district needs to help them get over their problem. Under the policy discussed, the first offense would require the student to undergo four weeks of counseling for an hour each time and they wouldn’t be eligible to participate in their extracurricular activity until they tested clean, 30-days later.
There was a question about retesting in two weeks, but members of the board weren’t sure if drugs would be out of a student’s system that soon.
The second step would be to suspend the student, not allowing them to participate in any extracurricular activity until they, at their own expense, provide medical proof they’re clean.
Board member Ryan Harvey said if the board approves this drug policy all athletes will know what the deal is. Harvey suggested the district be more strict and test 100 percent of those in extracurricular activities so no one can fall through the cracks, and not allow them to participate until they test clean.
Superintendent Robert Poole told the panel he’ll check with the district’s attorney to see if 100 percent testing can be done.
This, and the other policy changes discussed, will be addressed at the July meeting for board approval.
As to cell phones, basically the district is opting for a zero tolerance where they’re concerned. Students caught with cell phones out will have them confiscated with a fine imposed. The policy will also include a clause stating the district isn’t responsible for any damaged cell phone confiscated. Tommy Poole said a lot of schools have adopted these policies because of problems they’re having with cell phones. It was pointed out purses, backpacks and vehicles will not be searched for phones.
Robert Poole said a lot of students take their phones in the bathroom and make snap chat videos. The policy, he said, would be from the start of school until the end of the school day, and also applies to smart watches. He said students always find ways around the rules and in school suspension (ISS) won’t keep students from participating in extracurricular activities. Tommy Poole said out of school suspension (OSS) does affect extracurricular activities. He added students can have phones, just not have them out.
As to truances, Tommy Poole said something needs to be done about them, such as before and after school detention. As it stands, a student can be tardy nine times before getting ISS, which is too lenient, he said, as student have no concept of being on time. He suggested bathroom breaks during class should be counted as being tardy. Robert Poole added, unless someone has a medical issue and a doctor’s note.
Where absenteeism is concerned, Tommy Poole said parents let their children miss school for anything. The district files a FIN, which involves the court system, but something needs to be done in school, he added. “We had two seniors miss 30 days and still graduated. The policy has days, but not denying credits,” he said.
He said after a student misses five days, a meeting is scheduled with their parents, and parents are called when students aren’t at school.
Robert Poole said there are situations when students have to miss, and this is only for unexcused absences.
Harvey suggested the policy read students missing excessive days be given three days of ISS and not be allowed to participate in any extracurricular activities the first offense and five days the second offense. “As long as they can still play, they don’t care,” he said. “A lot of leaders are athletes.”
Board President JoBeth Glass said it’s all well and good to have these policies, but coaches and teachers have to enforce them.
Robert Poole said coaches and teachers will be held accountable to these policies as well.
In other business, the board approved four purchase orders, three from Lexia Learning Systems, LLC for reading programs for $11,900 each, and one from White River Services for 12 new smartboards and installations for $30,169.76.
The classified personnel salary schedule was approved with the recommended stipends for seventh and eighth grade math and English teachers.
A bid was accepted for the sale of four buildings. Two went for $1,100 each, while two smaller ones were sold for $600 each. There was only one bid submitted and the buyer has to remove them from the property.
The board also approved renewing the contract with Steed Lawn Services for another year.
On enrollment, the year ended with 895 students. There were 327 in Prescott Elementary School, 270 in Prescott Junior High School and 298 in Prescott High School.