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Education
This writer addressed the School Board at their June 4th meeting, speaking on drug abuse in the school system, requesting transparency in their recognizing the problem and seeking resolution to combat and/or control the drug problem. Their permitting the showing of the meeting in its entirety on television is a positive statement of their commitment to address the matter.
A senior student who spoke after I had left the meeting substantiated the comments I had made at the meeting regarding the seriousness and pervasiveness of the drug problem at the Lancaster High School, and wrote about in previous commentaries.
Channel 22 televised Monday evening’s board meeting on Friday at 4 p.m. It is my understanding that it will be televised again Tuesday, June 11th, at 7 p.m.
The young lady told the board that she agreed with the gentleman who spoke earlier (the writer) regarding the seriousness of the drug abuse at the high school. She confirmed that drugs had been found in locker inspections by the canine team (contrary to what the board had stated) and that there was a year book picture where a student was holding up fingers fashioning “O” and a “C” symbols representing the drug oxycontins.
While supporting the Drug Court program concept, she claimed there was student mistrust with the “confidential” hot line program that had recently been initiated.
She stated that because the drug problem was “so enormous” respectable students that previously were receiving merit awards, and honor students as well, were seeing their grades plummeting. “It is as huge as the first speaker (writer) made it seem.”
School Board vice-president Joseph Maciejewski interjected when the student brought up a matter that was not legally permitted, but would be investigated. Maciejewski did thank the girl for coming forward and told her and the attendees that he did not want to discourage anyone from speaking out. He also suggested to the girl that any student that feels uncomfortable with the present system should seek out a person they do trust.
“I believe you, and that’s why we are attempting to do something,” declared Maciejewski.
School Board Member Marie MacKay spoke the following: “We need people coming to us so that we know what’s going on. This is a serious matter and we want to act correctly. We must get the message out to the students that there is a confidential school web site (that they can go to).”
Maciejewski: “We want to encourage everyone who has valid information to contact a person of trust. That was very courageous of you to step forward.”
In closing, the student suggested that when dogs are brought into the school for a drug search, they conduct a personal search as well. ”The kids take the drugs with them to class.”
Board member Mary Kless responded that the dogs would not be able to pick out the prescription or designer drugs. So what! The dogs would still sniff out the street drugs.
Or, in today’s world, would a personal search be a violation of student rights?
Board member Rick Foley commented that there should be a meeting between the School Board, a handful of students and High School SRO officer Kerl to hear more about the situation. “In my twelve years on the School Board, this is the first time a student came forward about a drug problem.”
MacKay then declared that she would like to see a focus group put together next year made up with parents, students, Board members and teachers to bring this out into an open forum. “Students probably know more about drugs than we do. I’ve heard it before. I have a son who is a senior at Lancaster High School.”
An emotional MacKay closed by saying, “ I know what’s going on. Its sad!”
Comments
Kudos to the student who spoke out! Her testimony carried much more weight than mine. She has attended the high school for four years and was privy to the drug abuse happenings. Fortunately, she was courageous enough to make public the seriousness of the drug situation.
Her testimony validated what other students were experiencing but too intimidated to bring out; validated what parents and grandparents were being told, but reticent for whatever reason to make public; validated that school staff and administrators have a program in place that students do not trust; validated that police and school departments must work better together to achieve a successful outcome.
Lest we forget, the community has equal responsibility to speak out when drug abuse is recognized, not “bury their heads in the sand” because friends or family may be involved.
It’s for the kids, right? At least it should be!
Lastly, except for the Buffalo News coverage by their Town Board reporter, the News and Lancaster Bee failed to report on any Lancaster School Board event, as they usually do. Why?
Kudos to both the Town and School Board for recognizing the seriousness of the drug problem in town and for their planning to take mutual action.
© Copyright 2008 by Speakupwny.com
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