Opinion: Homebound should still be offered, confusion over meeting statements

From the Pike County Youth Coalition blog:

Thanks to some investigation and reporting at rbfordv.blogspot.com, a quite unfortunate reality has surfaced regarding the school district's new alternative education program. As the media has reported, and we as have also published, the new alternative education program was supposed to be an option to expelled students IN ADDITION to the already practiced homebound education program.

Well, no, that's not the case and never was. How could have we all got it so wrong?

Alternative Education: The Catch (read more on the PCYC blog)

Commenter says homebound not offered?

If you haven't been on the Pike County Courier website, following the comments on the article about the alternative education program for expelled students, check them out.

One commenter wrote homebound is not being offered as an alternative to her child, and she doesn't know if she'll be able to provide transportation to the program held at the school. At the board meeting, the administration explicitly said homebound will still be an option to those who can't afford or provide transportation... so what gives?

Superintendent's welcome message: We are a drug-free school

I just remembered that before I left home for Syracuse, I recorded a message that Candis Finan, superintendent, left on students' phones a few days before school started using the school's automatic dialer. 

It seems like a really good use of the automatic dialing system, and I think the message is important, both in its content and for helping bridge the gap between the school (and particularly, the district administrators) and the families they serve.

Listen to it now in .mp3 format... an RB for DV exclusive (572 KB)

Goldsack's sexist remark

At the Aug. 21 school board meeting, Board President Bob Goldsack said he wanted to ensure that only male teachers will be running the new alternative education program for expelled students. 

Because, you know, those kids are all a bunch of huge violence-inducing scoundrels, and, well, women can't do anything.

Open mouth, insert foot, Goldsack.

P.S. Thank you.

Finan interviewed in story about Philly school's new drug testing policy

Delaware Valley superintendent Candis Finan was interviewed in an article about the Central Bucks School District's plans to institute a random drug testing policy. PhillyBurbs.com interviewed Finan to get an understanding of DV's drug policy by comparison.

Candis Finan, superintendent of Delaware Valley School District in Pike County, was able to provide a little more data about the success of her district's drug-testing program, but not much more.

The district has had a student drug-testing program since 1998, shortly after a student was caught in the high school parking lot with heroin.

The school district has one of the most comprehensive student drug-testing programs of the districts surveyed. Students in seventh through 12th grade who participate in extracurricular activities and students who drive to school must submit to drug testing.

All of the students who drive or participate in yearlong activities are tested at the beginning of the school year. Students who participate in seasonal activities are tested at the beginning of the season. And all of the students in the testing pool are tested randomly throughout the year.

Finan said the district tested 1,600 students in 2007-08 school year, and nine tested positive for drug use.

The district tested 1,400 students in the 2006-07 school year, and four tested positive.

In all the years the district has had the drug-testing program, Finan said, only one student has ever tested positive a second time.

Finan said the students who participate in extracurricular activities and drive to school are the leaders of the school; and by their refusal to use drugs, they become role models for the others.

“I believe it works. I believe it is clearly a deterrent to student drug use,” Finan said.

“Is (drug use) going down? I wouldn't have figures to support that. The students who wish to participate in activities clearly are not using drugs, I can tell you that.”

Students and admin meet to discuss drugs, sex, other issues

Pike County Youth Coalition secretary and senior class officer Nancy Shi reported on PCYC's blog that the administration at Delaware Valley High School sat down with leaders in the student council and student government to discuss some of the issues facing the school.

They did that once or twice with us when I was in high school. To my knowledge, none of the things we talked about have ever been changed.

PCYC urges students on Facebook to attend board meeting

In the Facebook "weekly update" from Pike County Courier reporter and Pike County Youth Coalition executive director Nick Troiano:

SOUND OFF.

Our teen pregnancy survey will close at midnight on Friday. It takes 5-10 minutes to complete and instructions at the end will tell you how to enter for free movie tickets.
URL: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=7Bc4vKehDiMl3QLsK85kPg_3d_3d

Clear your calendars for next Thursday at [7 p.m]. Presumably, this is the school board meeting when PCYC will be presenting its two research projects AND when the board will take a vote on the updated language of the alcohol/drug policy we have been talking about.

Due process hearing questioned on PCYC blog

Pike County Courier reporter and Pike County Youth Coalition executive director Nick Troiano disputes the fairness of due process expulsion hearings in a recent blog post on the PCYC website.

While I certainly agree with the desire to ensure due process expulsion hearings are conducted fairly, I'm unclear on what Troiano's proposition is to fix the issues he brings up. 

By his suggestion, every time a student is punished at a school his or her Constitutional rights are violated. Does the school district offer a lawyer to every student who breaks the dress code or listens to an iPod in class? And how is Troinao's usual suggestion of more administrative discretion, which leaves the determination of guilt and punishment in the hands of one or two principals, a more fair and just method to punish students who bring drugs to school or are under the influence at school?

The due process hearing seems to better offer students the rights that Troiano mentions. 

I think the best thing any of us can do is ask at the next board meeting for a blow-by-blow account of how due process expulsion hearings take place. I also still firmly believe that taking action at the root of the societal problem is a better approach than arguing the policy. 

Opinion: I support the drug and alcohol policy

Though I haven’t specifically written it, I support the school board majority’s decision in tightening the zero tolerance drug policy to include alcohol cases.

I support the policy because it is one small step in eliminating the double standard society has for alcohol.

I support the policy because I support a safe school that does not tolerate students harming their own bodies with alcohol, much less potentially harming their sober classmates.

I support the policy because alcohol has no place in a professional environment, which is what school is and is what school prepares its students for. If you were drunk at work, you would likely be fired.

I support the policy because it calls for fairer justice than “administrative discretion.” It calls for a due process hearing.

I support the policy because it demands a fair, variable punishment: one day to permanent removal from the SOCIAL environment of school, while still receiving the EDUCATION every student is guaranteed, through homebound learning.

Students who are expelled can and do graduate or receive a GED on time. Students who are expelled can and do pursue higher education. Students who are expelled receive regular rehabilitation from the Drug & Alcohol Commission.

I support the policy because it secures the school district Safe Schools grant money.

I support the policy because students who are expelled are not repeat offenders.

And I support the policy because somehow, about 99.99 percent of the student body survives coming to school sober, without bringing in booze. They deserve an education free of illegal substances, which alcohol is, in an institution that entirely serves persons under 21.

Those are based on facts I’ve collected by listening to the administrators and board members at meetings, e-mailing them, and hearing from students who have been expelled.

In many ways, I view the policy as a dead issue that is not worth much debate and hype. There have been a few efforts reported on this blog to battle the extant policy, and–aside from stretching the facts–, they aren’t going to be effective at changing the policy because of the high-prioritized, firm position of the powerful school board.

And policy dissenters certainly aren’t going to alleviate the real societal problem at hand:

Drinking.

To solve that problem, we should all be working together on continuing to improve preventative and rehabilitation programs: not bickering policy that simply will not–and should not–change.

DV's drug and alcohol policy, straight from the handbook

Here is the full text of the policy in the student handbook, as it already exists (pages 23-24 of the high school handbook).

6. Drugs and Alcohol
The Delaware Valley School District will not distribute medications/drugs of any kind without the written permission of the primary care provider and the parent. When these conditions are met, only the school nurse will administer the medication. This includes, but is not limited to, such items as over-the-counter preparations; aspirin, Tylenol, Advil, caffeine pills, cough medications, cough drops, laxatives, antacids, vitamins, herbs, etc. and prescriptive medications. Prescribed medications/drugs of any type shall not be in the student’s possession and must be administered through the nurse’s office.

Any offense of the school’s Drugs/Alcohol/Drug Paraphernalia Policy will result in 10 days of out of school suspension, notification of the police, and referral to the superintendent for expulsion review. The student also must contact the Carbon-Monroe-Pike Drug and Alcohol Program for evaluation. The first visit must be made prior to the student's return to school. The student will be required to complete the recommended program. If a student does not complete the recommended program, recommendation for permanent expulsion may occur. The Superintendent will review the matter and shall, when appropriate, refer the matter to the Board with the recommendation to initiate expulsion procedures. Referral to the Board for expulsion proceedings shall be required in all instances where a student has possessed, transferred, used, or is under the influence of a prohibited substance. The student also will be referred to the Student Assistance Program (SAP) team.

Any student who comes onto school property or attends a school function who is in possession, distributes, uses, or is under the influence of prescription or non-prescription drugs, look-alike drugs, or alcohol shall be suspended out of school for ten (10) days. This includes drug or alcohol paraphernalia. The police will also be notified. A referral will be made to the superintendent for expulsion review. The student must also cooperate with the Carbon-Monroe-Pike Drug and Alcohol Program and the SAP team.

Students should not sell anything in school unless it has been properly authorized. Money should not change hands in school unless for school business and with proper authorization.

Distribution, transfer, and/or sale of drugs (either illegal, controlled, or prescription medication, look-alike drugs, alcohol, drug paraphernalia, or alcohol paraphernalia) on school property will result in a recommendation for expulsion as well as a recommendation for the individual to be barred for life from entering upon any property owned or operated by the Delaware Valley School District. The individual shall be considered a trespasser in the event of such entry and shall be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

The Delaware Valley School District reserves the right to take appropriate measures to secure the safety and well being of our students. These measures may include, but are not limited to, the following: use of drug-sniffing dogs in the building and/or district property.

Zero tolerance discussion on Facebook

Pike County Courier reporter and Pike County Youth Coalition executive director Nick Troiano started a discussion thread on PCYC's Facebook group about the zero tolerance drug policy. If you have a Facebook and are a member of the PCYC group, you can sound off.

Strengthening Families program takes proactive approach

In the wake of discussion about drug use and teen sex issues at Delaware Valley, the Penn State Cooperative Extension announced the fall session of its Strengthening Families program on TriStateObserver.com.

Strengthening Families is a 7 week program designed to reduce adolescent substance abuse and other problematic behaviors in youth ages 10-14 years. It has been scientifically tested and results have shown that children who have completed the program are less likely to become involved in risky behaviors like drug and alcohol abuse.

The free program is sponsored by the Carbon-Pike-Monroe Drug & Alcohol Commission and the United Way of Pike County. No petition signing is required.

Courier reporter promotes his anti-zero tolerance petition on non-profit's site

Pike County Courier reporter and Pike County Youth Coalition executive director Nick Troiano published a blog post on the youth coalition's website asking readers to view an anti-zero tolerance online petition andYouTube video he made.

The petition "was not sanctioned by or necessarily represents the views of PCYC," says the blog post, though the non-profit organization's website offers Troiano the platform to share the political petition and most of the signatures have been PCYC members.

According to the post on the non-profit organization's website:

The video has the same soundtrack as one recently viewed by the school board about preparing kids for the 21st century, perhaps this will also catch their attention: we can't prepare kids for any century if we throw them out of school

"We" really can't prepare kids for any century if they or their classmates are drunk at school.

Here is the full text of the petition: 

We, the undersigned, are opposed to the expansion of Delaware Valley School District's zero tolerance drug policy.

We believe that the answer to the problems before us requires increased resources for prevention and treatment of substance abuse, not the continuation of an abusively punitive system as suggested - a system that lacks any evidence of effectiveness or deterrence value whatsoever.

Students who pose no substantial threat or disruption to others should remain in school and remain engaged, not outcasted for significant or indefinite periods of time. This is especially true under the current situation when no alternative education programs are funded or available.

While we recognize the seriousness of the use, possession, or distribution of drugs and alcohol, we are adamantly opposed to a disciplinary system that removes discretion from the school administration and places an undue burden on the school's Board of Directors as well as the students and their families.

The most important lesson a student can be taught is that they must learn from their mistakes. This is how growing and improving works. When a student falls, they must be picked back up by their teachers and administrators, not expelled and forgotten about.

We join with the American Bar Association, the American Civil Liberties Union, the American Psychological Association, and many other nationally renowned organizations and advocacy groups in our opposition to this policy which does not help, and perhaps even perpetuates, the problem of drug and alcohol use in our district.

There are two issues that stick out to me. As I have written many times about multiple issues, I understand everyone is entitled to an opinion, though I think opinions should not overlook facts that contradict them.

First, is the ongoing complaint about the removal of administrative discretion and the lack of fairness of the policy. I think a due process hearing in front of a judge, in which legal assistance is provided to the student, is a much more fair and just way to determine guilt and a punishment rather than one principal pointing a finger and arbitrarily writing up a punishment on a disciplinary referral slip. 

Second, the line about students being "expelled and forgotten about" may be misinformed. Homebound services can be provided to students who are expelled, and they also can apply to attend other schools, according to a student who has gone through an expulsion. Additionally, the administration said at the July school board meeting that the district actively contacts expelled students when they may be readmitted, and if they do not wish to return supplies them with the information and help they need to get a GED. Another student I know who was expelled wound up attending a community college after receiving a GED.

In any event, I find the petition ironic, since it says: "We believe that the answer to the problems before us requires increased resources for prevention and treatment of substance abuse." I agree with this, and so does the school board that says it is looking into new prevention programs. 

The irony is that instead of taking a proactive approach with his non-profit organization, Troiano is butting heads with a school board that is powerful, firm in a pro-zero tolerance stance, and prioritizes the issue highly. When that combination of power, firmness and priority exists among players who support a policy, it simply is not worth the time, money and effort, especially not of a non-profit charitable organization, to add fuel to the political fire when agreeable proactive action can be taken instead.

Last chance for Courier comments

It's Thursday evening, which means the new edition of the Pike County Courier will soon be posted. There has been discussion all week on the paper's report about the district's tightened enforcement of its drug policy. To see what folks are saying and post your reactions, click here.

PCYC to host "Roundtable Discussion"

The following message is circulating on Facebook.

Dear Student,  

You are cordially invited to a Roundtable Discussion hosted by the Pike County Youth Coalition at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 2nd at the Dimmick Inn and Steak House, where you will be provided a free lunch. It should last between one and two hours. There are fifteen seats available.  

We will be discussing current student issues at Delaware Valley High School, specifically the teen pregnancy issue and the district's drug/alcohol policies. Your thoughts will be completely anonymous and incorporated into the research papers we are currently working on.  

We would like to get a student perspective on the problems that exist in the district today. So if you are a current or past student of DV, especially one who has first hand experience with either topic, we would appreciate your attendance. 

If interested, please reply to this message with your contact information and we will get back to you. Feel free to pass this invitation along to anyone who you think would be willing to attend.  

Hope to hear from you,  

Eric Neumann

Chair, Schools and Education Committee of PCYC

I hope that in addition to footing the bill for lunch to talk with a small, select group of students, PCYC considers working with and donating to local organizations that already exist to alleviate drug and teen sex issues head on rather than through research papers, for instance: the Carbon-Monroe-Pike Drug & Alcohol Commission, the Pike County Teen Alcohol and Drug Resource Center, Maternal & Family Health Services and the Pregnancy Resource Center of the Poconos.

July board meeting coverage wrap up

On RB for DV:

• Wal-Mart to help DV stop parking permit evaders
  
• July 17 regular board meeting blow-by-blow
  
• Courier reporter argues zero tolerance policy
  
• Board consensus: new, not renovated, DVES: Long range planning meeting blow-by-blow
  
• Class of 2008 report: 84 percent seek higher ed
  
• (see also: the entire class of 2008 report, 2.4 MB .PDF file, an RB for DV exclusive)
  
• Alcohol policy tightened, STD letter discussed at July safety meeting: Safety meeting blow-by-blow
• July agenda is online

In the news:

• Pike County Courier: Board focuses on alcohol, drugs and sex
  
• PoconoNews.net: DV SAT scores well above state average
  
• PoconoNews.net: Most DV grads to continue their education
  

Be sure to take part in the RB for DV poll on the right side of the page, a quick way to make your opinion known about the new DV Elementary School. 

Courier's report on the board meeting

The tightened drug policy and the explanation behind the numbers in the STI letter are the two topics discussed in this week's Pike County Courier's article on the July school board meeting. The Wal-Mart parking lot crackdown is also briefly discussed in a photo caption with the article.

There isn't much new in this article, but there was one thing that stuck out that hasn't yet been discussed on this blog or in any of the linked articles about board president Bob Goldsack:

He also said he has two programs in mind that would help students and parents in regards to alcohol abuse, but said he would elaborate at a later date.

I do have an issue with part of the lede:

... fully enforce the district’s zero-tolerance policy when dealing not only with drug, but also alcohol cases.

Alcohol is a drug.

I'm also wondering where any of the information about the new DV Elementary School is in this week's Courier.

Update (7/25): The reporter who wrote this story informed me that because of limited space in the paper, other topics discussed at the board meeting, including the new elementary school, could not be printed this week. I'm certain the elementary school will receive the press it deserves as things move forward. 

Courier reporter argues zero tolerance policy

Pike County Courier reporter and Pike County Youth Coalition executive director Nick Troiano debates the effectiveness of DV's zero tolerance drug policy in a recent blog post in the wake of the discussion about applying the existing policy to bring cases involving alcohol to the superintendent and school board for expulsion review. 

Troiano argues that there is no research to suggest the zero tolerance policy is successful in stopping students from repeat offenses and that expulsion is, to his knowledge, a blanket punishment for "at least a full year."

The superintendent, other administrators, and board members, many of whom have served the district for decades, always offer explanations on the contrary to these key argument points whenever Troiano brings up his zero-tolerance opposition at meetings–not to mention, varying punishments resulting from the due process expulsion hearing process can be found in old board meeting minutes. They also point out zero tolerance is federally mandated in order to receive Safe Schools funding, which Troiano continues to question. 

Troiano wrote regarding some of the issues he brings up that he "can’t be sure because the district is obstructing the PCYC from obtaining this public information." The thing is, he does attend meetings and does ask questions–and repeatedly gets answers–so while I understand he has a position against zero tolerance policy, I'm puzzled why he resorts to ignoring the answers he is given at meetings, other than to make his view more appealing and to stir up controversy using his organization.

While I do like how Troiano writes in the comments section of his blog post that PCYC is working on a research paper on zero tolerance at DV, with his publicized preconceived opposition and his dismissiveness toward the answers he gets at board meetings, I'd be wary about the paper ultimately just fitting his own opinion. I also think the group, which is powerless compared to the school board that supports the policy, could more efficiently focus its efforts elsewhere than spending time butting heads.

Alcohol policy tightened, STD letter discussed at July safety meeting

July 17 safety meeting blow-by-blow

The court hearing to upgrade the school police officers as previously reported is scheduled for Aug. 5, according to board solicitor Mike Weinstein.

Faculty and staff will be instructed to keep their classroom doors locked at all times, in case of an armed intruder, based on safety recommendations. 

Distribution, possession, or under the influence of alcohol cases while in school, at school functions, or in between home and school will now be referred to the superintendent to be brought in front of the board for an expulsion hearing. Currently, students with alcohol are given 10 days of out-of-school suspension and referred to the police. The federally-mandated zero tolerance policy for all drugs is written in the student handbook. 

The issue was raised after students were found drunk at the semi-formal dance. Board president Bob Goldsack said this will make the punishment for alcohol consistent with the punishment for other drugs. There were nine students caught under the influence or possessing alcohol this past school year in the high school and one or two in the other school levels, according to superintendent Dr. Candis Finan. 

Expulsion can be any punishment from one additional day of out-of-school suspension to a permanent ban from Delaware Valley. The extent of the punishment is determined in a due process hearing. Students caught with alcohol or any drug at school receive a fine of up to $420 and a 90-day license suspension, according to school police officer Mark Moglia. 

The board did not vote on any changes to policy wording but may do so in the future.

District nurses chairperson Ellen Orben spoke about the STI letter. According to Orben, Maternal and Family Health Services, aka "Family Planning," contacted her a few months ago with a concern about increased pregnancies and STDs at Delaware Valley. They were interested in doing a presentation for the students. Orben spoke to 11/12 principal Joe Casmus and to Finan, who agreed since the school year was coming to a busy end the district should send a letter home to parents, Orben said. 

Orben asked MFHS for some data to include in the letter, and they called back shortly after school ended with the numbers printed in the letter, 25 to 30 pregnancies and 300 cases of STDs, Orben said. Once the media got hold of the letter, the Department of Health stepped in saying there was no way those numbers could be accurate or publicly revealed, and the CEO of MFHS called Orben to tell her there must have been a misunderstanding.

The school district is interested in setting up a meeting with MFHS to straighten the matter out, but Orben said she is glad the letter went out whether or not the numbers are exactly accurate. 

She said all of the school nurses will do a short presentation at the open houses in September to talk to parents about this issue, and a speaker from the northeast region of the Department of Health will be on hand at the Sept. 17 DV High School PTSA meeting for a slideshow and discussion. 

The board and administration will be going through the sex ed curriculum and fine tuning it for this year, but Finan said as a public school they need to be wary of not crossing the line in pushing values upon students and they will offer parents a way to opt out of curriculum they feel uncomfortable with their children learning.

There were only two or three members of the public present for the safety committee meeting, which is surprising after all the uproar from the STD letter. I hoped more people would have attended the meeting if they truly wanted to be informed from the source.

Board meeting reminders

Don't forget the board meeting and committee meetings this Thursday, July 17 at the District Office:

• 5 p.m. - Safety committee meeting (I would assume the sex ed issues will come up here, and board president Bob Goldsack said at the last meeting alcohol punishments will be discussed.)
• 6 p.m. - Long range planning meeting (There will definitely be discussion of the new DV Elementary School.)
• 7 p.m. - Regular board meeting (I'd love to tell you what is going to be discussed, but in usual style, the agenda is not yet posted on the district website. And we're less than four days away from the meeting.)

Also, there has been plenty of commenting on the Courier's articles this week. What do you think about it all?

• What do we do about the sex and health issues at Delaware Valley? (student edition)
  
• Health issues at DV (PCYC statement, again)
  
• Move for the right reason