Expulsion Alternatives May be Considered for Drug Offenses

They use breathalyzers at proms and school dances, police and administrators peruse school parking lots for student drug activity and canines randomly sniff backpacks. 

Yet, Hatboro-Horsham School District officials said the ability to keep drugs and alcohol use from seeping into the schools, has, so far, eluded them.

"We’re trying to find some answers," Superintendent Curtis Griffin said during Tuesday's school board work session, adding that administrators also work closely with police. "We’re trying. We’re searching for better answers every day."

Among one of the possible solutions is to , officials said. Although the school board has not yet formally considered this possibility, officials said a piece of that proposal, which was outlined Tuesday night during the school board's work session, involves helping drug-addicted students who may be facing expulsion, or repeat offenders who may have been expelled from school.

On average, the district spends more than $18,000 per each expelled student, Griffin said. 

"That can take a significant hit on the budget," Griffin said. "We have to look at pennies, not just nickels and dimes these days."

Griffin, along with Assistant Superintendent John Nodecker suggested that a potential solution may involve a transition from expulsion and placements to a supplemental support group and targeted interventions. 

"Its something we should do for the student as well as the bottom line," Griffin said. 

"We would love to see those kids get help in off hours," Nodecker said. "The truth is, we believe we can help them. We save money, but we help kids."

According to Griffin, the kids, now more than ever, are in need of help.

"I see more severe cases on a yearly basis than I have previously," Griffin said. "I’ve seen people who have had their second time through. I’ve not seen a third time because they’ve been expelled."

Some who come before him for a second drug offense are battling heroin addictions, Griffin said. 

Hatboro-Horsham–unlike some schools who follow a strict zero tolerance policy when it comes to drugs and alcohol–permits students to return to school under certain circumstances following drug/alcohol use or possession on school grounds, Griffin said. 

In 2004-2005, when the district first examined its substance abuse efforts, Griffin said the decision was made to give first-time offenders who agree to substance abuse counseling and submission of random urine tests the ability to return to the classroom. If any of the terms were violated, Griffin said an automatic expulsion resulted.

A student deemed to a be a "dealer," on the other hand, is not afforded a second chance, Griffin said and would be expelled. 

"Some school districts have a true no tolerance policy," Griffin said. "You’re caught once you’re expelled. See you in a year."

Along with expanding substance abuse prevention and education to a coordinated, district-wide effort for students beginning in kindergarten, the proposal involves expanding the community and parent education and outreach, similar to the district's collaborative 2-year-old substance abuse program, Be A Part of the Conversation.

"We need everybody to be a part of it," Nodecker said. "With the help of everybody the load’s easier to carry."

Part of the push to switch from the district's current primarily contracted Student Assistance Program counselors to a more coordinated effort stems from Montgomery County's position that it would only fund an "evidence-based approach" to substance abuse prevention efforts, according to Nodecker.

"Our kids are the primary concern," Nodecker said, adding that some may not be in favor of the potential new approach. "If people are a little upset about that, I’m sorry. There’s only one priority and they walk through those doors every day."