"We only want to help you...”

I’m not real sure who the “who” is that you are talking about......... What I got from the meeting is that it was about someone sending pictures that did not show any real proof of anyone doing anything more than a group of kids hanging out.  I was at the meeting to find out what was going on and I am concerned that this could happen to anyone of our kids.  I strongly agree that our kids should not be underage drinking but if it is not on the schools clock than I strongly feel that it is my job as a parent to “Parent” my child not the SESD.  I know not every parent is going to parent there child but, I will and I would like to do it with out the help of our board members.  The board backed off because they had no case.  The way the rules are written our children can not be around alcohol 24/7.  The question was brought up at the meeting, If I was at dinner and had a glass of wine while my child was sitting at the table and someone took a picture and that glass of wine was in the picture would my child be guilty of under age dinking?  The answer......... the board could not answer!  There needs to be procedures in place but they really need to be changed to prevent this happening again and again.

How many of you have cookouts, birthday parties etc.  and serve alcoholic beverages?  The “code of conduct” is unrealistic.  Unfortunately, Val paid the price last year.  But, SESD lost also.  They lost a wonderful coach, who put in numerous hours coaching our schools teams as well as Barrens Travel Soccer teams.  Al is truly as asset to our community and to the kids he still coaches. 

Also, from what I understand, some of the recent pictures submitted, weren’t very recent.  Some were 2 years old.

My suggestion to anyone who has concerns with SESD’s policies is to attend the Policy Committee meetings, as this is where decisions are made.  Wednesday night, there was a Buildings & Grounds Committee meeting, a Finance Committee meeting, and, due to the situation at KD, a special Policy Committee meeting.  Besides the Board, about 10 other people were at the first 2 meetings.  There was standing room only at the Policy meeting. 

At a “normal” Policy meeting, revisions to policies are discussed and either agreed to or not.  If agreed to, the recommended revisions are then included in the agenda for the upcoming Board meeting and put to a vote.

The Students’ Code of Conduct has been in existence for years.  Students and parents both sign it.  No one, to my knowledge, has attended Policy Committee meetings and requested the Code of Conduct be revised.  Although the current decision was reversed Wednesday night, the Code of Conduct still stands as is.  Whether it will be on an upcoming Policy Committee meeting agenda or not, I can’t say.  But, again, I advise anyone interested in seeing changes made to any Policy, to attend the Committee meetings.  Dates and times are posted in the Board meetings’ agendas and minutes, on SESD’s website (http://www.sesdweb.net) and on South Eastern Tax Reform Coalition’s website (http://www.setrc.net).  As of today, the next Policy Committee meeting has not been scheduled.

This type of code of conduct policy is not unique to SESD. Remember a few yew years ago when Southern District suspended the extra activities from many students just because they were at a party and there was some alcohol involved? Not all of the kids were drinking, but all were punished. I suspect that most districts have similar policies. It would be interesting to know if these types of policies are required or mandated since it seems the norm not the exception now days.

The Code of Conduct was first implemented when I was in high school or shortly before that. Basically in a nutshell it stated thou shalt not smoke, drink or do drugs. It always left a lot open to question as to what was accepted and what was not. Even though at that time, 16 was the legal age to purchase tobacco products, smoking was not allowed at any time day or night, during school term or summer. If caught by a school official you could be removed from the balance of the season.

Now the interesting thing was it was the balance of the season you were currently enrolled in. It did not allow any extension until the next season for smoking. I don’t recall for sure but I think drinking and drugs carried a longer penalty (balance of school year or one year).

It was selectively enforced then. Depended on what sport or activity you were in or who you were related to.

Alex - 25 April 2008 07:09 AM

It was selectively enforced then. Depended on what sport or activity you were in or who you were related to.

I sort of think this is what happened this time also.

This is an excerpt from the student code of conduct signed by every student participating extra curricular activities:

“...any association with drugs and alcohol is prohibited. Association can be interpreted as being present where drugs and/or alcohol are available. Students who violate these rules at any time (24 hours a day, 7 days a week), whether such conduct occurs on or off school property shall be subject to: (a.) the consequences below (b.) the specific guidelines established by the individual organization and (c.) the normal disciplinary action outlined in the South Eastern District Drug and Alcohol Policy, if applicable (d.) referral (except for tobacco incidents) to the Student Assistance Program with successful completion of the assessment and any recommended counseling and/or interventions.”

I was pained to hear the rumors of the alleged party and the impending punishment. I wondered if any of the girl’s softball team were involved and how this would impact their fantastic season. But I am even more disappointed to see the school board back down and not enforce their own policy. (I’m assuming there was enough evidence to enforce the punishment to begin with). This sends absolutely the wrong message to our kids. If this policy is not to be enforced than the only fair thing to do is drop the policy. If you don’t really mean it when you ask these kids to sign this policy then don’t have them sign it. Underage drinking is a real problem. What if the worst had happened and we lost one of these wonderful kids to a DUI car accident? What’s more important, a completed sports season or the health and well being of our kids? Or learning that when you make a commitment (sign an agreement) that you are expected to live up to it. The School District failed these kids in this instance.

Again, I’m not real sure who the “who” is......... but I did’nt see anyone other than a group of kids that are ACTIVE in there school and all are on their way to a bright future.  As far as “what if the worst had happened and we lost one of these wonderful kids to a DUI car accident?” We have, Ms. Fuller, to an ADULT DUI accident.  I think the problem here is that WE want to parent our children when they are not in school or at a school function, kids make mistakes that’s how they learn, adults?????????????? not so sure :{

The “who” would be “whose” child is this? If the same situation happened last year and it was “only” one child as compared to this year when it is 43, doesn’t it seem odd that the punishment has now been retracted? Could it possibly be that the children were athletes, better connected or just the shear number of parents complaining caused the reverse? One set of parents versus 43 sets certainly is poor odds. I wasn’t at the meeting but were the coaches? Who else was pressuring the board? that is the problem I see. I agree it is a bad code but were is the consistency here? I feel it is sending a message that the rules are enforced based on “who” you or your parents or your coach might be. JMO. (And I don’t know the Chesnavages at all. ) I agree with Marge though....the parents need to get this policy changed to something reasonable, appropriate and clear. the way it stands now, going to church could be considered “in the presence of alcohol”!

I think the problem here is that WE want to parent our children when they are not in school or at a school function, kids make mistakes that’s how they learn

This is exactly right.  But what did the kids who made this ‘mistake’ learn?  They learned that there is no consequence to thier actions.

...any association with drugs and alcohol is prohibited. Association can be interpreted as being present where drugs and/or alcohol are available. Students who violate these rules at any time (24 hours a day, 7 days a week), whether such conduct occurs on or off school property shall be subject to:

I am not a lawyer, judge or jury but take a look at the first two lines. That is very open to interpretation. Does it mean I can’t go anywhere there is alcohol? Well if that is the case, I better move to a convent because there is a good chance the parents have alcohol in the house. I better not work at Messina’s or even go there since there is alcohol present. Oops, can’t work at My Three Sons or OIP either since they are BYOB. Can’t work at or go to Ruby’s. Can’t go to the family reuinion since my family likes a beer every now and then.

I understand the need for a code of conduct. I understand enforcing it. The problem is, this one can go many ways and from the past history, it appears to be used selectively.

Oh yeah, better skip the convent since they use sacremental wine for communion in many of them.

the way it stands now, going to church could be considered “in the presence of alcohol”!

I like that statement!  I am planning on having a party for my daughters birthday this summer.  Should I not serve drinks in red plastic cups?  I don’t want to be accused of serving alcohol to minors......who are 9 and 10 year olds.  I signed the code of conduct as a parent in the beginning of the school year.

pbres - 25 April 2008 08:09 AM

This is an excerpt from the student code of conduct signed by every student participating extra curricular activities:

“...any association with drugs and alcohol is prohibited. Association can be interpreted as being present where drugs and/or alcohol are available. Students who violate these rules at any time (24 hours a day, 7 days a week), whether such conduct occurs on or off school property shall be subject to: (a.) the consequences below (b.) the specific guidelines established by the individual organization and (c.) the normal disciplinary action outlined in the South Eastern District Drug and Alcohol Policy, if applicable (d.) referral (except for tobacco incidents) to the Student Assistance Program with successful completion of the assessment and any recommended counseling and/or interventions.”

I was pained to hear the rumors of the alleged party and the impending punishment. I wondered if any of the girl’s softball team were involved and how this would impact their fantastic season. But I am even more disappointed to see the school board back down and not enforce their own policy. (I’m assuming there was enough evidence to enforce the punishment to begin with). This sends absolutely the wrong message to our kids. If this policy is not to be enforced than the only fair thing to do is drop the policy. If you don’t really mean it when you ask these kids to sign this policy then don’t have them sign it. Underage drinking is a real problem. What if the worst had happened and we lost one of these wonderful kids to a DUI car accident? What’s more important, a completed sports season or the health and well being of our kids? Or learning that when you make a commitment (sign an agreement) that you are expected to live up to it. The School District failed these kids in this instance.

I agree...and yes, some of the girl’s softball team were involved.  The girls and their coaches were at the meeting.  In an effort to convince the Board that the photos may have been altered, one of the coaches distributed digital pictures to show how easy it is to alter them.  However, some of the students and parents actually admitted guilt!  So what lesson was learned by the students?  As JustPlainC stated - there are no consequences to their actions.

pboin - 24 April 2008 10:23 PM

What I don’t understand is why the school would expect to control or monitor off-premise behavior in the first place.  However, once the code of conduct is signed, it’s fair to expect it to be upheld. 

I guess my major beef with this is the concept of school authority off-campus and off-hours.  Is there *any* limit to our desire to be controlled by government, locally or nationally?

You took the words right out of my mouth.  Why should the school be wasting resources monitoring kids after hours.  That seems to be a parents job to me.  I don’t know who the kids are, but I am curious how the parents handled the situation after the school board backed off.