Penalties for violating Westbrook High's conduct code in question

WESTBROOK — In the wake of alleged violations of the school's code of conduct by members of Westbrook High School's football team, parents and administrators are re-thinking the policy.

The code itself is not at the heart of the debate. Rather, it's whether the penalties are too severe.

The school's policy clearly prohibits students from drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, using drugs -- and even being around others who are.

The penalty for an initial infraction is suspension from extracurricular activities for two weeks. A second offense results in a student sitting out for the year, and that has some Westbrook parents concerned.

Parent Steve Rand explained, "It's more severe for the second. What I'm trying to get the board to change is a step in between, which I think would be significant punishment and a good deterrent for students."

The current policy was put to the test earlier this month after members of the football team were suspended following reports that they had attended a party at which alcohol was consumed.

Parents and administrators said they want to work toward a better policy that not only deters the use of drugs and alcohol by students but also keeps them involved in school activities. While parents said the current policy may be too severe, administrators maintained that it may not be severe enough.

"It's a big jump, and we're not sure the intent of the policy as it exists -- having a two-week suspension -- is really driving home the fact with the students. So we are looking at making that more stringent," Superintendent Stan Sawyer said.

Sawyer added that the school's code of conduct is a work in progress.

After hearing suggestions, administrators said they will work on proposed revisions, which will be discussed at a public meeting next week.

A final revision could be presented to the full board as early as Oct. 11.

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