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Ashland students balk at new code Leaders refuse to sign, vow to draft own policy By DAMIAN MANN ASHLAND - High school student leaders say they would rather lose their titles than agree to a drug and alcohol policy that holds them accountable for off-campus behavior. "Basically, all of us oppose it," said Brady Brim-DeForest, associated student body co-president for Ashland High School. The school policy is directed specifically at student leaders, making them responsible for their behavior at all times. Leadership students and their parents are being asked to sign the written policy - something the students oppose, even if it brings their removal from office. "If we all lose our titles together, it will be a powerful statement," Brim-DeForest said. "But it is important that we all stand together." The approximately 30-member leadership class will present a petition opposing the "code of conduct" before the school board on Aug. 13. The student leaders plan to draft their own policy for presentation to school officials. The school board decided to create the policy after the Phoenix-Talent School District spent a year in court trying to strip the student body president of his title after he was caught with marijuana on campus. But students say the policy goes too far. Ashland senior Kari Proud said, "I don't know anybody who would sign it." She criticizes wording in the policy which says leadership students will show respect to all people with whom they come in contact. "We're students just like everyone else. I don't see why they should pull us out and treat us differently," said Proud, a captain on the debate team. "I don't think we're looked at as role models," she said. "A lot of kids think we don't do anything." Proud agrees that some sort of policy should be devised, but not one that penalizes students for off-campus behavior. "We have brilliant students," she said. "It's obvious that whatever we do outside of school doesn't affect us in school. I think that what we do in our own time is our own business." Casey Galusha, the student representative to the school board, agreed that leadership students should be responsible for their actions on campus. "If they're caught at a school function, that's really a major issue." But off campus behavior is another matter. "It is taking it a step farther than they need to take it," said Galusha. "I wouldn't sign it," said the 17-year-old senior. "The school is creating more and more punishments that discourage more and more kids to be in leadership." School board member Amy Amrhein said the document the student leaders object to may not be the final version. "I believe the school district needs a strong drug and alcohol policy," Amrhein said. "What that looks like is open for debate." She said she thinks the district is creating the policy more as a reaction to the recent Phoenix-Talent School District problem than to incidents during the school year involving possible drug or alcohol use by the snowboarding and debate teams. Amrhein hopes to receive public reaction to the proposed policy at the next board meeting. "We're going to go back and look at it again." Board Member Chuck Keil said the school board would welcome hearing from the leadership students and the public. "The student body is encouraged to comment and bring forth ideas," he said. Ashland high Athletic Director Jim Nagel said 400 athletes have signed a similar contract in order to play sports and about four to five students are disciplined each year. Nagel said drugs and alcohol are a problem at the high school that he and other officials can't ignore. "We're not saying it doesn't exist," he said "We're saying, 'Do without it.' " Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail dmann@mailtribune.com |
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