Students who violate the new student and activity code for Durango School District 9-R’s high and middle schools would have access to counseling and opportunities to make amends to those harmed by their actions.
The code, underway after two incidents with Durango High School athletic teams last fall that led to multiple suspensions, is nearing completion. A 20-member Healthy Choices Committee began working on it in November.
“We looked at other student codes from other districts both from within and outside Colorado – from Bayfield, Alamosa and Aspen to Seattle and Baltimore,” said board member Stephanie Moran, the board’s liaison to the committee. “They ranged from the super-stringent to very relaxed.”
Moran presented a draft of the drug and alcohol portion of the code to the board at its work session Tuesday night.
“We followed the board’s instruction to be supportive of the student continuing their education,” she said, “and to find ways for them to learn from their violation.”
For their first two violations under the draft code, students are assessed a penalty of losing a percentage of their season or activity, which they can reduce by participating in a range of identified activities, including restorative justice; doing a research project on the substance abused; sharing their findings with participants in their team or activity; performing community service; and individual or group counseling.
“One thing they need to do is speak to the community about the harm that has been done,” Moran said.
“It created a lot of strife after the incidents with the boys cross country team and the (junior varsity) boys soccer team, because that piece wasn’t in place.”
The committee recommends the district hire a drug and alcohol counselor to work with students in the district’s middle schools and high schools.
“We’re still waiting to hear about some grants for that,” 9-R Superintendent Dan Snowberger said. “We’ve already gotten a ‘no’ on one. The board will have to talk about whether to budget for it if we don’t get the others.”
The committee separated students found possessing, using or under the influence of marijuana, drugs, alcohol and controlled substances, or in possession of paraphernalia including vapor pens versus those who were involved in selling, purchasing or distributing the substances.
“We had to decide whether selling was in the same category as under the influence, but we decided it’s a higher level of violation,” Moran said.
“There was also a question as to whether this was for violations at school or out in the community. We decided wherever you are, you represent Durango High School or Miller Middle School or whatever school you attend.”
A second offense on selling alcohol or drugs leads to an immediate ineligibility for athletics or activities for one calendar year, while it’s a third offense for using. In all instances, law enforcement would be notified if school authorities believe a violation has risen to that level.
Board Vice President Nancy Stubbs said she was impressed that this portion of the code wasn’t too long, but it was clear.
“I like that each situation is considered separately, looking at ‘Who’s the kid? What’s he done? How should we handle this particular situation?’ rather than just throwing them out,” she said.
“I think zero-tolerance was the worst thing education ever did, ‘Three strikes and you’re out.’”
abutler@durangoherald.com
Draft drug, alcohol code (PDF)
If you go
The next meeting of the Healthy Choices Committee will be held at 4 p.m. Monday at Durango High School. The group will be reviewing a draft of the full student and activities code.
