ACLU Wants School Chemical Policy Delayed

The American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts wants Swampscott School Committee members to delay implementation of the district’s chemical health policy until they consider changing it. 

At least one committee member said the policy, already approved by the school panel, should not be delayed.

Wednesday is the last time committee members meet before the policy goes into effect on March 17.

Meanwhile, people opposed to the policy have started an online petition asking for a delay to the policy.

It requires students who violate it to sit and talk about drug and alcohol problems with school guidance or nursing staff, or someone else approved by the school administration. 

Students who don’t do this will be suspended from extracurriculars, such as sports teams, music and drama groups and clubs.

First among objections raised in a letter from ACLU lawyer Sarah Wunsch to committee members is that the policy applies to students year-round.

“The punishment of students for actions that are unconnected to school-sponsored activities is beyond the scope of the school’s authority,” the ACLU letter reads, in part.

That authority belongs to parents, the ACLU letter says.

School Committee member Glenn Paster said the policy has been reviewed by the district’s lawyer, who said it does not overstep the school’s authority.

The policy has teeth because it is trying to save lives, he said.

“I think they (the ACLU) should concern themselves with things that are far greater than a school district trying to save lives,” Paster said.

High school Principal Layne Millington said changes to the policy came in response to troubling incidents at the start of the school year involving Swampscott High School students and drug and alcohol problems.

The ACLU letter states that there is no evidence that the policy changes will lessen drug and alcohol problems; and that taking away extracurricular activities from troubled students may do more harm than good.

Paster said school administrators consulted the proper research and drew upon their experiences at the school to make the right decisions.

Several of the concerns raised by the ACLU were also raised by parents and others at a community forum hosted by the high school principal earlier this year.

A majority of those in the auditorium appeared to support the school principal’s position though numerous people spoke in opposition or questioned the policy.

Also, the student representative to the School Committee, William Travascio, said at the committee’s last meeting that many students want a delay of the policy. He said students think the year-round provision violates their rights.

Paster said students were on the group that brought the changes forward.