Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 26, 1995 TAG: 9504260083
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
``I'm not going to sacrifice the rights and safety of the other students,'' Harris said. ``I think it is more unfair to put students in jeopardy than to deny the requests of students to come back.''
In some circumstances, Harris said, he might consider allowing expelled students to return in a homebound instruction program or to make other arrangements for their education.
Whether students who have been expelled for violations other than guns will be permitted to return will depend on the circumstances of the cases, Harris said.
Ten students were expelled a year ago, most for the possession of guns, knives or other weapons. A few students were kicked out for lesser offenses, such as possessing a pellet gun or drugs.
Harris said Tuesday that a few middle school students who were expelled last year have been readmitted, but they are in homebound instruction and do not attend regular schools. None was expelled for guns, he said.
Roanoke's expulsions have been complicated by a federal law requiring school systems to continue to provide educational services to special education students who are expelled.
About half of the Roanoke students expelled last year were in special education. Harris said either these special education students are in homebound programs or special education arrangements have been made off school grounds.
But, he said, ``We have some we will not allow back anywhere.''
Onzlee Ware, a Roanoke lawyer who has represented some students who have been suspended and expelled, said Tuesday that he believes that all cases should be considered on an individual basis - including those involving students who bring guns to school.
If a student has never been in trouble, has good grades and has a record of regular attendance, Ware said, he believes the student should have an opportunity to return.
"I find it difficult to accept that a student can be expelled and never have the chance for a viable alternative for an education," Ware said. ``I think the public schools should be free of guns, but we need a plan to educate the students who are expelled.''
Ware said that since he complained about the city's tough expulsion policy last year, school officials have decided that, in some cases involving water guns or toy weapons, the students should be moved to the alternative education program rather than be expelled. "That seems to be plugging a gap and provides a workable alternative in some cases," Ware said.
The expulsion issue has risen again because three students have been suspended in the past two weeks for possessing guns.
One case involved one student and a loaded .25-caliber gun at William Fleming High School. The other incident involved two students and a BB pistol at Woodrow Wilson Middle School.
Under School Board policy, expulsion means the permanent exclusion of students from city schools, including adult and GED programs. The students have the right to apply for readmission after a year, but school officials are not required to allow them to return.
Chairman Nelson Harris said the School Board allows the superintendent to decide whether expelled students can return.
``The board has not become involved in that. We rely on the school administration's judgment,'' he said. ``It depends on the nature of the offense, counseling of the student and other factors.''
If expelled students are readmitted, Superintendent Harris said, the schools will insist that the parents become involved in their children's education.
``We will have to place more obligation on the parents,'' he said. ``The parents will have to help pay for the homebound services.''
Harris said he is determined to keep the schools safe, but he is troubled by the expulsion of seventh-graders or younger students.
``What do we do with the kids? Do we have some obligation for a rehabilitative option?'' he asked.
Despite the latest incidents, Harris said he believes the student conduct policy is working, and he doesn't see the need for metal detectors or other extreme measures.
"I am not prepared to go beyond what we are doing," he said. "I think the word is out: don't bring guns to city schools."
He did say, however, that he is open to discussion if parents, principals or School Board members believe additional measures are needed. Board members said they do not.
Harris said he will present a student conduct policy for elementary students to the School Board soon, patterned after the policy for middle and high school students approved last year.
by CNB