While a number of school districts in the state have what they call
“zero-tolerance” policies regarding drugs and violence, most in the Austin
metropolitan area define their rules loosely, allowing for flexiblity when
determining how to discipline a student who has been caught with drugs.
Many school officials say they are in the process of revising their rules –
a process they go through every year. Jess Butler, principal at Lago Vista High
School, says that discipline policies, even something that sounds as
straightforward as zero tolerance, are often difficult to interpret and need
constant adjusting. “What do you do if there’s two sixth graders pushing each
other in the hallway? That’s a scuffle, and I don’t think the police want to be
called for two sixth graders in a scuffle,” he says. “It’s easy to decide the
big-ticket issues like guns. But when you get beyond that, it gets down to the
call of the building principal.” Here’s a look at the policies of various area
school districts:
Austin Independent School District
AISD’s zero-tolerance policy mandates an expulsion hearing for students
accused of possessing weapons or of assaulting a staff member, with a minimum
of six weeks’ expulsion for those found guilty. Drug and alcohol offenses are
listed as “serious offenses” which warrant “parent conferences, confiscation of
the item, detention, or any other appropriate discipline management technique.”
Dripping Springs ISD
The district lists seven “suggested consequences” for violation of the
schools’ anti-drug and weapon rules. Each school’s principal is allowed to
choose from among the following: alternative education plan, suspension,
expulsion, long term-detention, Saturday school, bus removal, and drug or
alcohol abuse counseling.
Eanes ISD
EISD permits car and locker searches, and if a student is found to be
guilty of possessing contraband, the policy states that “appropriate measures
will be taken,” including the possibility of referral to a rehabilitation
program.
Hays Consolidated ISD
The Discipline Management Plan/Code of Student Conduct characterizes as
“serious” offenses: assault, drug and alcohol possession or use, arson, and
possession of a weapon. Students who violate the policy may be placed on
suspension for up to six days per semester. Assault, however, can get a student
expelled. “First time personal possession of marijuana, alcohol, or other
prohibited substance is limited to not more than 10 consecutive days per
semester home-based instruction…”
Lago Vista ISD
Lago Vista also allows administrators to search students’ cars and lockers
for contraband. If illicit substances are found, “the student may be subject to
appropriate action, including removal and/or expulsion. The student’s
parent(s)…will be notified if prohibited substances are found in searches
conducted under this policy.”
Manor ISD
According to the Code of Student Conduct, students who violate the
district’s drug, alcohol, and weapon policies may be expelled for these
offenses (emphasis added), with the school board having final authority over
any expulsions.
Pflugerville ISD
Expels students for assault, possession or use of drugs or alcohol, or
possession of a weapon. “Pflugerville ISD does not tolerate a student’s
committing behaviors on this list, and students are most often expelled,” wrote
Assistant Superintendent Cherryl Porter in an April 28 letter explaining the
district’s policies. “However, a student’s age and the degree to which the
offense has been committed are kept in mind when a hearing committee
meets.”
Round Rock ISD
For a first offense of possessing alcohol or other drugs, Round Rock’s
policy says that administrators may choose from among the following:
temporarily remove the student, set up a conference with the student’s parents,
call the police, recommend expulsion, refer the student to counseling, or ban
him or her from participating in extracurricular activities.
This article appears in May 12 • 1995 and May 12 • 1995 (Cover).