Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 11, 1995 TAG: 9501110082
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KIMBERLY N. MARTIN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The high school student, whom school officials did not identify, was expelled for possessing and using marijuana on school grounds.
Superintendent Clarence McClure would not elaborate on the circumstances, but did say it was the student's second offense.
Botetourt's school policy states that ``a person who is guilty of a second violation against the drug policy can be expelled.''
After five days of investigation, including several meetings with police and the student's family, McClure recommended expulsion.
Despite policy guidelines, he said, it was not an easy call.
``It's very difficult to expel a student from school,'' he said. ``I don't want to be a party to denying any student an education, but students are made aware of the policy at the beginning of the school year. ... It is set up to deter the use of drugs.''
McClure said the student's case will be reviewed next year, and the student may have the opportunity to return to Botetourt County schools. He would not say what grade the student was in or which high school was involved.
Brenda Bartee, president of the James River High School Parent-Teacher Association, agreed with the rarely used policy, which she called a necessary evil.
``It's a necessary tool in our discipline policy. It would be detrimental if that last step was not available,'' she said. ``The principal and School Board have to do what is necessary for the protection of the other students.''
In other board action, the school district took its first step toward making the $13.6 million school improvements voters approved in November.
The board will begin accepting bids Thursday and Friday for construction of a middle school in Cloverdale and renovation of Botetourt Intermediate School. Both projects, which were designed to ease elementary-school overcrowding, are scheduled for completion before the fall of 1996.
On Tuesday, the board will submit the low bids to the Board of Supervisors for approval and the release of funds.
by CNB