LEEDS — Maine School Administrative District 52 directors tabled proposed changes to the district’s drug and alcohol policies Thursday until they receive more information.
The changes would include a new policy regarding tobacco and vaping products in school, separate from the current policy that also includes rules about alcohol and illicit drugs in school. The proposed tobacco policy places an emphasis on treatment and getting students help for possible addiction.
Board member Peter Ricker proposed adding information allowing more parent involvement when a child is found with tobacco, vape products, alcohol or illicit drugs on school property. He would like to see changes that state that staff who are concerned that a student might be addicted to one of the substances should refer the student to a counselor and their parent or guardian. The proposed policy does not include parent notification.
He would also like to see school administrators notify the parents of a student caught with the substances before they interview the child about the matter.
The proposed changes would better include parents in matters regarding the welfare of their child and help parents protect their children better, Ricker wrote in a document to the board.
The school administration will gather the information Ricker requested and present it to the board at a future meeting.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
