School Board, Staff Will Address LaSalle High School Drug Problem
By Stephen Underwood

Concerns regarding student drug and alcohol use, brought to the St. Ignace Area Schools Board of Education at its Monday, August 8 meeting, led to a long discussion and some initial plans of action by the board and staff members.

In the recognition of visitors portion of the meeting, the board heard comments from a parent whose son is entering his sophomore year. She said she had met with Superintendent Mike Springsteen and wanted to bring before the board what she felt the extent of the drug and alcohol problem was at LaSalle High School. She said her son had felt threatened by the high use of drugs, primarily marijuana, and alcohol, and being encouraged to use them by students. She said he estimated to her that there were only about 10 students in his class of about 75 that did not use drugs and alcohol at some level, and that she had heard a similar number reported by one of the teachers.

“I think it’s a much bigger problem than we’ve thought and it’s really out of control,” she said. “I don’t know if the closed-campus lunch policy is really helping. I don’t really know what to do, but I’d be happy to help. I’ve talked with (Michigan State Trooper and Drug and Alcohol Resistance Education Officer) Fred Strich and he’s very concerned.”

While Mr. Springsteen and other staff and board members, didn’t confirm the numbers, there was general agreement that the problem has grown, not just in St. Ignace, but in schools everywhere.

“I don’t think anyone disagrees that there’s a problem,” said Trustee Andy Brown.

Mr. Springsteen, however, said the policy of keeping students on-campus during lunch has helped significantly reduce drug and alcohol use during the school day.

“I saw a big difference in closing the campus,” he said, indicating that other teachers and administrators also noted the decline. After the meeting, he added that a survey done before the previous school year found that at least 25 percent of students used drugs or alcohol during the school day, leading to the institution of the lunch hour policy.

“I do think closing the campus has got to have alleviated the problem of students returning after the lunch hour under the influence,” added High School Principal Don Gustafson.

Still, it was acknowledged there’s more work to do in curbing students bringing drugs into the school and the use of them outside regular school hours. Despite the fact that the problem is substantial outside the school, there was little hope for the idea that parents could make much more of a difference.

“In defense of the school, parents are giving their kids later curfews and more money,” said Claudette Brown, a teacher’s aide with two children at LaSalle. “A lot of the kids don’t even have to work for it. Parents just don’t want to be parents anymore.”

When the idea of having meetings or some form of parent education was brought up, she added, “The ones who need to come won’t come.” Mr. Springsteen’s suggestion that the school might be able to make inexpensive testing kits available for parents was met with more optimism.

Board President Diggy Clement was concerned enough to say she wants to take a “hard-nosed” approach. “The board has to be strong and acknowledge this is a bigger problem,” she said, and asked, “Can we send out notices to parents that we’re going to do random urine tests to detect for drugs?”

Mr. Springsteen said that while the schools have authority to administer breathalyzer tests for alcohol, parental permission and a search warrant is required to test for drugs.

“There are big issues to address before we can start random testing of the students,” he said. He also noted that the state police dog used for drug detection in student lockers is only available about once per school year and ineffective as a consistent deterrent.

The parent said her son has indicated that conversations about drug and alcohol use sometimes goes on in class within earshot of teachers. She thinks teachers sometimes hesitate to correct something, if there’s any doubt, for fear of having to defend their actions to administrators or doubting parents.

“I think the board, administration, and teachers can make a strong statement that they know it’s a problem,” said Elementary and Middle School Principal Bonnie Ledy. “We need to reassure the teachers that, when in doubt, send them to the office. But I think a lot of parents won’t agree to random testing.”

Punishment for students caught using drugs or alcohol is nine points on their record, which means a three-day to five-day suspension from school and participation in a mandatory drug and alcohol awareness class to get back in. If the student already has points on his or her record, it could mean getting kicked out for the entire year.

Mrs. Brown raised the question as to whether athletes are punished more severely because of suspension from their activity in addition to the punishment as a student, but the board and staff defended the right for coaches and other leaders of extra-curricular activities to set their guidelines.

It was agreed to continue to address the issues at an district-wide staff meeting August 17, and at a school improvement committee meeting September 14, and that Mr. Springsteen will investigate exactly what additional measures the district has the legal means to take. Some form of parent education or involvement will be pursued.

“We have to try and tap the knowledge of a bunch of different people,” said Mr. Gustafson.

The board also adopted several optional policy changes submitted by the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB). One new policy will suspend the sale of “foods of minimal nutritional value” during the school day. The board and staff agreed they would eliminate or turn off vending machines with items like candy or pop during the day, or exchange their contents for more healthy offerings. They will also eliminate the sale of such items for breakfast or lunch, and make sure any bake sales or such held during the day includes healthy items.

The board did not approve the MASB’s optional policy stating that immediate family of board members should not be hired in the district. Noting that three board members already have immediate family employed, trustees decided that, because of the small size of the district and community, such a policy will be more damaging than beneficial. The trustees with immediate family employed by the district are Andy Brown, Diggy Clement, and Sheri Oja.

The board appointed Sheri Oja to the MASB’s Legislative Relations Network, serving as a local link to the MASB and the legislative process.

The sale of a 1995 bus with a wheelchair lift to Engadine Consolidated Schools for $3,000 was approved. “This is a good deal for us and Engadine really needs it,” said Mr. Springsteen. “We would be able to get another one this fall with our sinking fund if we had to.”

A continuation of the lease agreement for $110 a month with the bus garage at the old Evergreen Shores School was passed, as well. The lease is with Kurt Ney.

The board received a letter from Glenn McKenzie, a bus driver for the district, announcing his retirement after about 30 years of service. “With his retirement and Gladys Pope’s retirement, we are replacing 1-1/2 bus drivers/custodians,” said Mr. Springsteen. “We are trying to restructure the bus routes to allow us to direct the majority of that time to custodial time versus bus-driving time.

“On paper, it can be done,” he added. “We won’t know for sure until after we actually do the bus runs.”