Drug, Alcohol, Tobacco (DAT) Policy Revisions

Transcription

1 Drug, Alcohol, Tobacco (DAT) Policy Revisions Tuesday, September 04, 2012 Christopher Murry Jr. School Board Policy Chair Gregg Palmer Falmouth High School Principal

2 Presentation Overview Historical Context Timing What happened 6 years ago? Current Policy Review/Issues DAT Policies Revision Process Questions

3 HISTORICAL CONTEXT

4 What happened 6 years ago? Last Revision: 2005/2006 Multi-month process, large stakeholder group Points of discussion: Role of the school department in investigating incidences of drug, alcohol, or tobacco usage On-campus vs. off-campus During school hours vs. after school hours Concept of knowingly present How best utilize the role of the school department in promoting safe, ethical, and legal behaviors by students?

5 Two Key Components for Consideration 1. Drug, alcohol and tobacco usage by students is not a school issue or an athletic Issue, but rather a community issue 2. The strength and effectiveness of school policies concerning drug, alcohol, and tobacco usage is directly correlative to the support and engagement by both parents and community members/partners

6 CURRENT POLICY REVIEW/ISSUES

7 Policies JICH & JICH-R Rules & sanctions can be applied for prohibited behavior that occurs, at any time or place if the conduct directly interferes with the operation, discipline, or welfare of the schools. (JICH; section C) Students who self-refer about his/her substance abuse will not have disciplinary action enacted. However, a student may not use self-referral to avoid disciplinary action after being confronted with a violation of the policy. (JICH-R; section I,3) An action plan will be created by the substance abuse counselor. (JICH-R; I,4)

8 Policies JICH & JICH-R There is one level of discipline for tobacco and a separate level for drug and alcohol violations; Level 2 and Level 3, respectively. (JICH-R; II, Tobacco Violations/Drug & Alcohol Violations) Do we have the policy that governs attendance and participation in the regular academic program accrue student penalties on cumulative basis over the student's career or annually and begin fresh each year? Currently Falmouth school policy does not address discipline with students who are, knowingly in the presence of alcohol/illegal substances.

9 Policies JICH & JICH-R Separating discipline for tobacco versus drug and alcohol violations. (JICI; page 2 of 4, Disciplinary Action under Tobacco violations and Drug and alcohol violations) Having 2 levels of consequences for tobacco violations and 3 levels of consequences for drug and alcohol violations. (JICI; page 2 & 3 of 4, Disciplinary Action under Tobacco violations and Drug and alcohol violations) Currently students are removed from participation based on time (7 calendar days, 14 calendar days, 30 calendar days, and 60 calendar days) without substantive requirements to seek help. (JICI; page 2 of 4, Disciplinary Action under Tobacco violations and Drug and alcohol violations)

10 Policies JICH & JICH-R Students can self-report by noon of the day following the infraction if it has not already been reported to the school and the student would have the consequences reduced by half. (JICI; page 3 of 4, Disciplinary Action under Self-Reporting of Violation) There is no policy regulating booster support around sponsoring safe celebrations for student athletes.

11 Policies JICH & JICH-R A clause exists, designed to address students who violate the policy and are captains of team or who hold other team leadership positions. After a first offense there is supposed to be a meeting. Once the student returns to the activity/team, the other members of the activity/team shall hold a meeting to make a recommendation whether or not the student may return to his/her leadership position. The meeting is to be facilitated by the substance abuse coordinator and attend by the athletic director with a final decision being made by the AD and coach/activity director taking into consideration student input during the meeting. (JICI; page 3 of 4, Activity/Team Leadership Positions (First Offense Only)

12 Policies JICH & JICH-R There is no policy regulating booster support around sponsoring safe celebrations for student athletes.

13 DAT POLICIES REVISION PROCESS

14 Process Objective Develop a cross spectrum stakeholder taskforce to assist in the development of new DAT related policies Utilize focus groups to promote community engagement and obtain direct community input to be used in the development of DAT policies Create a new policy built upon by community support for the school district

15 Policy Design/Content Should: Promote ethical, responsible, legal, and safe behaviors by all students enrolled in the Falmouth School Department Promote the values and expectations of the Town of Falmouth as a community Establish a culture and system of accountability for students, staff, coaches, parents, and community members Recognize and address the issue as a health/ wellness issue as well as a legal issue

16 Phase Process Phase 1: Exploratory Phase September Mid October Organize Stakeholder Task Force

17 Composition Board Members Students Administrators Content Experts Task Force Teachers Lay Community Members Parents Town Officials

18 Phase Objectives Review existing policies, surrounding district policies, national policy examples Engage in initial discussion on DAT usage issues and current policy issues Develop discussion questions for the focus groups

19 Phase Process Phase 1: Exploratory Phase September Mid-October Organize Stakeholder Task Force Phase 2: Focus Group Phase Mid-October - December Conduct community focus groups to obtain community feedback and foster discussion Phase 3: Policy Development Phase December - February Utilize focus group information to develop new policies for the School Department Policy Committee/School Board Process February - March Target Vote: March 2013

20 Seven Focus Groups Students FSD Staff FSD Coaches Leadership Council Parents Lay Community Members Town Officials (Council, Police, etc.)

21 Phase Objectives Obtain input from the community concerning the development of DAT policies Foster discussion on DAT issues within Falmouth

22 Phase Process Phase 1: Exploratory Phase September Mid-October Organize Stakeholder Task Force Phase 2: Focus Group Phase Mid-October - December Conduct community focus groups to obtain community feedback and foster discussion Phase 3: Policy Development Phase December - February Utilize focus group information to develop new policies for the School Department Policy Committee/School Board Process February - March Target Vote: March 2013

23 Phase Objectives Using a smaller work group with the larger task force as an advisory body, develop new DAT policies which will be submitted to the policy committee Proposed policies will take into consideration the information collected during the focus group phase and address current leadership concerns

24 Phase Process Phase 1: Exploratory Phase September Mid-October Organize Stakeholder Task Force Phase 2: Focus Group Phase Mid-October - December Conduct community focus groups to obtain community feedback and foster discussion Phase 3: Policy Development Phase December - February Utilize focus group information to develop new policies for the School Department Policy Committee/School Board Process February - March Target Vote: March 2013

25 Policy Committee/School Board Process Targeted First Reading: February 26, 2013 Targeted Second Read and Adoption: March 19, 2013

26 QUESTIONS