by Darrin Peppard
West Grand School Superintendent
The West Grand School District Board of Education is interested in your input regarding two potential policy changes. The two policies (JICH-R Drug and Alcohol Involvement by Students & JKD/JKE-R Student Suspension/Expulsion) have proposed revisions that change the consequences for students who violate these particular policies. While on first glance it may appear as simply harsher penalties for infractions, the direction from the board on these policy revisions goes a little deeper.
A look at the Healthy Kids Colorado survey data for 2017 shows over 30% of high school aged Kremmling residents drank alcohol within 30 days of the time the survey was administered. 22% of respondents stated they had ridden in a vehicle driven by someone under the influence of alcohol and over 17% of the same group had used marijuana in the same time frame. Our concern lies in
the policy now includes educational components for offenders as well as lengthened suspension times and a mandatory re-entry meeting with parents, the student, and administration.
We all want our kids to be safe but occasionally there might be a disconnect between behavior choices and what is honestly in their best interest. Looking again at the proposed policy changes, one would notice that drug and alcohol violations would include not only suspension from school but now a mandatory substance use/abuse educational component as well. West Grand feels strongly about our obligation to help students make educated, informed decisions related to
This clause in the handbook will be reviewed as well in the upcoming board meeting to better align with the draft policies mentioned above.
The second policy change, related to suspension of students, changes the language regarding make-up/missed work while a student is suspended. Under the modified policy, students who are suspended from school for any reason would be required to turn in all work upon their return from suspension. The reason behind this is simple, our board feels strongly that suspension should not equal a vacation for the student.
As stated at the top of the article, we really want to hear your opinions about these potential changes prior to our upcoming board meeting. On the district website (www.wgsd.us) under announcements in the middle of the