
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, May 21, 1994                   TAG: 9405230157
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

SECOND CHANCE POSSIBLE

Some students who have been expelled for bringing weapons and drugs to Roanoke schools might get a second chance if they can show their attitudes have changed and that they won't violate school rules again.

"I am not saying that all can come back or that none will be," city School Board member Marilyn Curtis said Friday. "Each case is different and would have to be handled differently."

The School Board expelled two more students this week, bringing to 10 the number thrown out in the past five months. One student was expelled for arson of school property and the other for igniting an explosive device.

In the earlier cases, most of the students were expelled for bringing guns or knives to school.

The student code says expulsion is the "permanent denial of access" to city schools. Cases are heard by a disciplinary review team, but only the School Board can expel a student or rescind an expulsion.

In cases where students have gotten counseling and shown significant improvement in complying with school policies and rules, an expulsion might be rescinded, said the Rev. Nelson Harris, a School Board member. "But we would have to see a significant change," he said.

Harris said no one should get the impression that the board is backing away from its tough policy of no drugs or weapons on school property.

It is not easy to expel a student, he said, but the overriding concern has to be the safety of all students.

"I think we are sending the right message to the students and the community," Harris said.

"We have an obligation to the students, parents and community at large to make sure our schools are safe."

In some cases, the school system has provided home instruction for students who are awaiting the School Board's decision on expulsion.

After the students have been expelled, the school system no longer has any responsibility for them. The students can attend private schools or enroll in public schools in other localities.

If asked by another school division, Roanoke must tell the reason why a student was expelled.

Curtis said the School Board is concerned about what happens to students after they are expelled.

"We don't want it to look like we are throwing them out on the streets," she said. "We don't want them to fall through the cracks."

Parent-teacher association leaders have endorsed Superintendent Wayne Harris' get-tough policy on guns, drugs and violence. The superintendent has asked parents to sign a pledge affirming their support for the new student conduct policy, which has tough penalties for students who break the rules.

School officials hope the expulsions will show students and parents that Roanoke schools are serious about prohibiting weapons and disciplining those who break the rules.

by CNB