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School Tackles Alcohol Arrests

Posted on: Thursday, 1 September 2005, 21:01 CDT

LINCOLN -- The Lincoln Community High School disciplinary policy for students in extracurricular activities will be reviewed by a school board committee after the arrest of 35 underage drinkers earlier this month.

Police rounded up the students just before 2 a.m. Aug. 8 at a private home in Lincoln. Among those charged with illegal consumption or possession of alcohol were several Lincoln High School athletes. Twenty-three of the accused were at least 17 years old; 12 were juveniles.

Whether the athletes would face consequences at school as well as in court has sparked a debate over what responsibility the school has to discipline students outside the classroom, said Lincoln High School Superintendent Dean Langdon.

"One of the things that is disturbing to me as a school administrator is that society continues to put more pressure on the educational system to place consequences on students when they are not in our jurisdiction," said Langdon.

The superintendent noted the party took place during summer break, when students had been away from school more than two months.

School board policy provides for suspension of students from extracurricular activities during the regular sports season if their behavior breaches the code of conduct. The season officially opened Aug. 9, a day after the incident.

Individual coaches imposed some measures of their own, said Langdon. He did not disclose specific details, but said "it was handled by individual coaches as a team issue."

Langdon said the policy will be discussed during Wednesday's board meeting.

He said he did not know if the committee looking into the policy would have a recommendation or if the matter would be studied further.

"There's no urgency to change it right away," said Langdon. The current policy will remain in place for the 2005-2006 school year.

Meanwhile, the district will continue its efforts to persuade students that underage alcohol consumption can jeopardize their future, said the superintendent.

High school freshmen learn about substance abuse as part of their health class and speakers are invited to talk to all students about the consequences of alcohol and drug use.

Under a contract with Logan Mason Mental Health, students also receive help with substance abuse issues.

Source: Pantagraph

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