Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (April 1, 2004)
The INDEPENDENT, April 1, 2004 Page 13 School board considers drug policy for extracurricular activities Policies and curriculum re- lating to athletics and activities at Banks High School (BHS) again dominated the agenda for the Banks School board, at their March 8 meeting. Superintendent Marilyn Mc- Glasson outlined three issues concerning the student activi- ty/athletics contract, which pro- hibits participants from using drugs and alcohol. She ex- Community Foundation tells council scope of new project Banks City Council, at a work- shop prior to their March 9 meet- ing, heard a presentation from members of the Banks Com- munity Foundation (BCF). Fol- lowing a brief overview of the his- tory of the foundation by Denise Dethlefs, chairman Steward Douglas told the council about the “Sound Stage Project.” Tracey Rowatt, who has film industry experience, explained that Oregon has everything in landscapes and climates, but the Pacific Northwest lacks good facilities for pre- and post- production work, so film com- panies must pack up and go to Canada or back to California. Rowatt led the group to select a feasibility study for a sound stage as the foundation’s first big project. There are a few small pro- duction facilities, but BCF’s study will look at a large-scale production facility that can pro- vide sustainable growth and employment diversity. The study will be funded by a $10,000 matching grant from the Ford Family Foundation. The Banks area is a desir- able location, Dontes Reyes told the council, because of a strong transportation infrastruc- ture and the growth pattern of the area. Additionally, Wash- ington County is working to cre- ate a one-stop permit process to facilitate further develop- ment in the film/video industry. Dethlefs concluded by say- ing that the Sound Stage Pro- ject is the first project for BCF but is not the only project under consideration. Following the workshop, Public Works Superintendent Tim Grossnickle reported that the data/computer link to the water system had been in- stalled. The system, which pro- vides minute-by-minute data from every area of the city’s water system to a central loca- tion, has already enabled Grossnickle to isolate a leak- age problem on the Sellers Road line. Banks Police Officer Kevin Duggan told council that he has taken a job in Hillsboro. He thanked them for the opportuni- ty to serve the community and said he would maintain close ties to Banks. Mayor Bob Or- lowski asked council to consid- er hiring one of the reserve offi- cers to fill the vacancy. Officer Bruce Bringman told council that there had been a notice- able increase in drug activity, driving under the influence and parties. Councilor Kirk Andrews re- ported that the parks commit- tee continues to be hampered by lack of a quorum. He is try- ing to get some new members. In other business council: • Approved $150 expendi- ture for an analysis of its com- puter systems to determine what the city’s needs may be. • Approved the city auditor’s contract for a three-year period. • Appointed Debra Deegan Budget Officer. • Set a determination of nui- sance hearing for property at 263 &265 Wilkes Street at next month’s meeting. plained that administrators were seeking clarification and revision of policy. The primary issue is that, currently, coaches may develop stricter rules than those set by board policy, which has result- ed in inconsistent treatment of students, depending on the sport. McGlasson told the board that the issue must be addressed to insure that all stu- dents are treated equally. The second issue is a minor revi- sion of language making cor- rections that should also be ad- dressed as soon as possible. The third issue, which was discussed at length during the February meeting, is creation of a stronger policy regarding the use of drugs and alcohol. Policy revisions may be made only by the board and, accord- ing to complaints received from coaches and reports from ad- ministrators, the current policy does not serve as an effective deterrent. As an example, BHS Principal Jim Foster told the board that, as student athletes approached the ten-day win- dow between sports, flyers were confiscated at the school about a “big beer bash.” A broad-based committee of coaches, parents and students, put together by BHS Athletic Di- rector Jim Smith to consider the issues, recommended some changes at the last meeting. The major change recommend- ed is to extend suspensions from ten days to 28 calendar days and a minimum of three contests for the first offense. Other recommendations includ- ed a statement that the contract would be enforced as written for all athletics and activities, and that consequences would carry forward from one sports season to the next. The group was also asked to research policies in other districts. Committee presents recommendations Reporting on the commit- tee’s review, Smith said the en- tire committee “really liked the 28 days.” Suzanne Alley, vol- leyball coach, parent and com- mittee member, told the board “the weekend between [sports seasons] is pretty lethal around this town.” This view was sup- ported at city council the follow- ing day when police officer Bruce Bringman reported that seizures of marijuana in- creased dramatically in the last month along with an increase in DUIIs and party activity. In an effort to develop a con- tract that would serve as an ef- fective deterrent, and based on a review of policies in other dis- tricts, the committee recom- mended an additional change To our customers, THANK YOU! We are a year old because of you. EAT AT JOE’S Call or Stop By for Weekly & Monthly Specials! Best Breakfast House Around Located in Manning 503-324-2039 4770 NW Sunset Hwy which would hold students ac- countable for the school year, beginning with daily doubles in August. Smith told the board that the committee believed this would provide students with “a tool to empower kids to combat peer pressure…that it sends a strong message that this is a commitment for their lives, not just for a season.” Student committee member Annie Schlegel told the board that she definitely believed that the stricter rules would be used as a tool. She told the board that students often are more successful when declining to participate if they have a rea- son other than just not wanting to imbibe. She said that kids show more respect “if you have an excuse” such as missing a significant number of games. After discussing the differ- ences between sports and ac- tivities, the committee reduced the contest prohibition for activ- ities to one contest because many activities, such as FFA, have so few contests. Smith told the board that the feedback he had received from coaches was VERY supportive. The revised contract will be presented to the board for a first reading in April to allow fur- ther deliberation by the board in order to determine what is best for the district. PRECISION UTDOOR Power Equipment Mon-Fri 8 am-6 pm 42425 N.W. Banks Road, Banks 503-324-5221 Saturday 9 am-2 pm