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Oakwood School Board OKs policy to test students at school dances for alcohol consumption
> Do you think this is a good idea for schools?
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
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Oakwood School Superintendent, demonstrates how to use one of the district's new portable professional alcohol breath testers. The district's school board voted Sept. 8 to approve a policy that would allow the district to use the testers on students at school functions.
Oakwood School Superintendent, demonstrates how to use one of the district's new portable professional alcohol breath testers. The district's school board voted Sept. 8 to approve a policy that would allow the district to use the testers on students at school functions.OAKWOOD — The Oakwood School Board voted Monday night, Sept. 8, to adopt a policy that would call for students to have their breath tested for alcohol consumption at school functions.
"We would like to have the ability to screen students when they come to our school for dances," Oakwood Schools Superintendent Mary Jo Scalzo said after the board's meeting.
"Does that mean we are going to screen them at every dance? We need to talk about that and what's that look like. Now that (the board) has passed the policy, we'll look at exactly how we're going to specifically implement what we are going to do."
No students were present during the vote, which took place at the board's office, 20 Rubicon Road.
Scalzo also said that in the past, the district has had some students show up to school functions under the influence of alcohol.
The portable breath testers cost about $800 each, she said. The district has one, but plans to have at least three of the handheld devices.
District staff will be trained to use them, but the devices seem to be pretty easy to operate, Scalzo said.
Students can be tested by just speaking into the mic-like area in the back of the device. A screen on the front of the device then flashes a NEG or a POS. If a student tests positive, he or she will be tested again before school administration will decide whether discipline should be administered.
The schools usually have a uniformed officer available at school dances, according to Oakwood Public Safety Capt. Randy Baldridge.
The "totality of the circumstances" would determine the level of the police department's involvement in a situation where a student has showed up to a school event under the influence of alcohol, Baldridge said before the meeting. However, it is likely the student would, at the very least, be cited for underage consumption.
"Depending on how bad (the tester readings) are, we would turn them (the students) over to their parents," Baldridge said.
In February, Oakwood High School Principal Joe Boyle presented the results of the district's 2006 Dayton Area Drug Survey (DADS) to parents of high school and junior high students.
At the time, Boyle told the Dayton Daily News the 2006 survey results revealed that, "alcohol is the drug of choice in Oakwood."
"What I learned from the data is that too many of our students indicated that they were engaging in binge drinking, which is really drinking to get drunk," Boyle said in February. "We have to do something different. Things are not getting better in terms of student use of alcohol."
For more about the testers, contact the superintendent's office at (937) 297-5332.
Read more about this issue in the Sept. 18 edition of Kettering/Oakwood Neighbors.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2414 or kwynn@DaytonDailyNews.com.
Comments
By student
September 11, 2008 10:13 PM | Link to this
I think that this new rule goes back to the american revolution. NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION! it says that when the was taken there were no students present! I believe that underage drinking is wrong, but come on be realistic, who actually waits till they are 21 to have their first drink? this is a matter of parenting and the school should not get involved. parents need to teach their children to drink responsibly. the whole point of alcohol is to relax you after a long day of work.
By student
September 11, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this
I think that this new rule goes back to the american revolution. NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION! it says that when the was taken there were no students present! I believe that underage drinking is wrong, but come on be realistic, who actually waits till they are 21 to have their first drink? this is a matter of parenting and the school should not get involved. parents need to teach their children to drink responsibly. the whole point of alcohol is to relax you after a long day of work.
By Jeff
September 10, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this
I am sure that the punishment will outweight the crime and ruin these kids lives before they even have a chance. If they did this when I was in school I would have been lucky to graduate much less go to college. I suppose we need to teach kids at a young age the constitution is just a piece of paper to be used to wipe ones rear.
By Jo
September 10, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this
Having gone to Oakwood and been drunk at every dance, I can tell you that it really never got out of hand while I was there (turn of the century). If this were the OHS I graduated with we would simply not go to the dances if this were ever threatened. Maybe a sad state of the high school culture, but it is becoming the reality. You don’t think the stuffy Oakwood parents will threaten the school if this ever affects their kids? I am thinking there could be some legal issues here…
By Parent
September 9, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
It’s a good idea. I was at a football game recently (not Oakwood) and there were several boys near me that had obviously been drinking. My first thought was - these boys are going to get in a car and drive out of here! It is a concern and all parents should be aware, that yes - your little darlings drink and do drugs. Wake up and smell the MaryJane.
By Bob540
September 9, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this
What I wonder is why anyone answers these surveys in the first place. Or, to answer them in a way that govt and academia can use to justify lowering the boom on people. Just do the smart thing next time and deny drinking or any other drug use when polled about that. Why make it hard on yourselves?
By Wordell
September 9, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this
My Muffy & Biff having to lower themselves to alcohol testing??!! How pedestrian!!..how……”Moraineish”!!! It will give the Oakwood Police a 2nd job…the first one being breaking up family arguemments about who drives the Porsche (remember: “Por-Sha”), Mercedes, Volvo, Lexus…the occasional Rolls. It’s a sad day when Oakwood achievers find themselves lowered to our level.
By Oakwood Parent
September 9, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this
While the school board is at it, why not pass a resolution to drug test all the teachers and administration? After all, alcohol is legal for adults over the age of 21, but pot is illegal for everyone. Let ALL the school employees lead by example and step forward for testing. If they are unwilling, it will just prove the double standard that our “leaders” are known for!
By ex-Lumberjack
September 9, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
This will be used only on certain individuals! This policey will not be used on the influentail families in the Oakwood School District. I grew up there, it happened in my day and it will continue to happen. Those that are part of the right crowd will have their kids exempted from the testing. They will be “overlooked” to put it nicely!
By cp
September 9, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this
I would like to know where all this alcohol is coming from. These kids are all underage and it seems to me that the parents and suppliers need to be accountable for their actions. Does OPD have any suggestions???
By rene
September 9, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this
As an educator, I can tell you that ALL schools have some students that smoke, drink or use some substance that could be classified as a drug. Any parent that thinks it these items are not present in their childs’ school is living in a bubble. I applaude Oakwood Schools for taking the responsibility to let parents know when their child is doing something that they shouldn’t be. Parents need to be supportive, even if they know that their child does not do such things.
By Kathy
September 9, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this
I think it’s a great idea. And if a student tests postive, the student should be turned over immediately to the police. No matter how much or how little, underage drinking is against the law. There is no little bit in breaking the law.
By db
September 9, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this
So, the drinkers get turned over to their parents while the pot smokers get to dance the night away?
By Jessica
September 9, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this
I think it’s ok to use when someone is suspected of drinking or has been reported but it’s a ridiculous idea if we’re going to use it as a security detector and screen every person as they come in. We have to trust that some students will make responsible choices and not allow every student to be made to feel like a criminal before even attending a school function. Otherwise, teens will divert away from school functions and sports and to me that’s allowing problems in for all kids, good or bad.
By Tom Smith
September 9, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this
Here’s another example of government trying to control our lives. Where are the parents - this is their responsibility, not the governments. Pretty soon we’ll have to turn over all our children to the government.
By Richard Mattson
September 9, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
I am the publisher of a webiste and blog that deals with School Dance Issues….it’s called the School Dance Network at www.schooldancenetwork.com. We focus on all things challenging for administrators as it relates to school dances. This is the first time I have heard of an alcohol detection devise used at school dances..but I intend to share this information with schools who may be looking for some assistance. I would love to hear how this affects dance attendance & if it resolves the issue
By Richard Mattson
September 9, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this
I am the publisher of a webiste and blog that deals with School Dance Issues….it’s called the School Dance Network at www.schooldancenetwork.com. We focus on all things challenging for administrators as it relates to school dances. This is the first time I have heard of an alcohol detection devise used at school dances..but I intend to share this information with schools who may be looking for some assistance. I would love to hear how this affects dance attendance & if it resolves the issue
By Richard Mattson
September 9, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this
I am the publisher of a webiste and blog that deals with School Dance Issues….it’s called the School Dance Network at www.schooldancenetwork.com. We focus on all things challenging for administrators as it relates to school dances. This is the first time I have heard of an alcohol detection devise used at school dances..but I intend to share this information with schools who may be looking for some assistance. I would love to hear how this affects dance attendance & if it resolves the issue
By BCRez
September 9, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
I think all schools should do this. In fact, I would wholly support drug/alcohol testing for athletes.
By Paul
September 9, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this
Graduated Oakwood High in the middle fifties and never heard of BINGE drinking! Sure we mostly all drank a “FEW” beers. Only came home DRUNK once and my dad took care of that problem fast. Never again did that!
By Michael
September 9, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this
I think school districts have to do things differently this day and age. I don’t see anything wrong with trying this approach.