Guilty Even If Proven Innocent At Lewis-Palmer High School

Unfortunately nothing has changed at Lewis-Palmer since my son was expelled from there over three years ago. Mike's story below is yet another example of the legacy of discretionary abuse in that school district.

Mike's Story :
A Dad's Thoughts About His Son's Expulsion from Lewis-Palmer High School

My son was suspended and then expelled from Lewis-Palmer High School (Colorado School District 38) for allegedly "smoking marijuana" at an off-school function on October 7, 2001. Although he passed three drug tests, two at home and one at the hospital, he was expelled. (Actually, the negative test results indicate that one is neither a regular nor a recent user -- no surprise to me.) Our request to put the drug test results in his school record was denied. Of course we will do it anyway. Here are some of my thoughts as our family went through the investigation and hearing process implemented and condoned by the Lewis-Palmer School Board.

1. I don't know anybody who wants to tolerate drugs or drinking in school, so I am not opposed to "zero tolerance," just how it is implemented record by our Lewis-Palmer School District 38 School Board. If there is an aspect to a "zero tolerance" policy that can backfire, it is the recklessly punitive approach, which is often unavoidable. This presents a tone of vindictiveness, whether intended or not. Many people think this is the best way to deal with teenagers in general. I do not.

2. The Lewis-Palmer School District implementation of the state law is interesting. They chose a punitive, and yet apparently ineffective approach. It is quite different than the policies of District 11, 20, Manitou Springs, Douglas County and several others. Fortunately, the LPHS Accountability Committee is compiling a comparison of other school boards' policies, and a recommendation to the Lewis-Palmer School Board will be made. This seems like a reasonable approach, which may provide the guidance needed by the Lewis-Palmer School Board to change the policy.

3. I learned that parents have no rights under the Lewis-Palmer School Board policy implementation. I thought in America we wanted parents to take responsibility for our children's values. The Lewis-Palmer School Board has taken care of that for us. We are simply there to hear the alleged deed and be thankful the school board is smart enough to protect us from ourselves and provide the punishment, regardless if it is founded in fact or not. The students are interrogated and asked to make written statements without the parent's knowledge. This is inappropriate.

4. There is no due process. The hearsay rules. It's a shotgun approach with questionable aim. The "investigation" is based on student hearsay to a vice principal who has demonstrated that he has not yet had the experience of raising a teenager. I can't fault him too much. He's young and following what I assume he thinks is a correct direction from the Lewis-Palmer School Board. The hearing is a go-through-the-motions travesty, which results in expulsion. No credence was given to those students who could affirm that my son did not do what two out of ten of the kids interviewed said he did do.

5. My son explained to us and to the hearing officials that there are students in his LPHS classes everyday who are stoned or who have been drinking. (He is not one of them, as strongly indicated by the drug tests he volunteered to take and which showed negative for any drugs. And, I know him and believe him.) The point is that our community is affluent, and our young people can afford drugs. Affluent communities are drug markets in our society. There are kids in our community who experiment occasionally or use regularly. I believe it has increased significantly since my daughter graduated from LPHS ten years ago. So, how effective is the Lewis-Palmer School Board's policy? Ineffective, apparently. If protecting our kids from drugs is our community's goal, I recommend the School Board require that each student take a legally recognized drug test once each trimester. No drug test, no grades. The results of the test will go only to the parents or guardians, and the proof that the student took the test would go to the school. Then change the policy to a 2 strikes and you're expelled, except immediate expulsion for selling, buying or distributing drugs at a school or school function. This approach would raise awareness to where it belongs, with the parents, to whom the School Board is accountable, and to the students.

6. I learned that the current punitive policy of the Lewis-Palmer School Board has divided the community. Many disenfranchised families have cause to view LPHS very negatively. High School is one of the most significant events in our American lives, which we remember more than anything else. One strong indication that this policy is pervasive in our community is that the LPHS Accountability committee has been unable to get past this issue and on to other topics of importance. I am thankful the families of the band kids from three years back built a web site dedicated to this. And to those whose brought forth lawsuits which subsequently raised awareness. I also learned that the policy is infamous in Colorado Springs. One lawyer said the process is fundamentally un-American. I totally agree.

7. Common sense would indicate that signing a permission slip for you high school student to attend a school function does not substitute for adult supervision. Supervision was clearly lacking on this event -- a teacher, his spouse (also a teacher) and their young children and 34 high school students at a weekend event. But the last thing I want to do is allow the Lewis-Palmer School Board or the Administration assign blame to a teacher. I back the teacher and question the policy of substituting paper for people. This choice was just as irresponsible as the poor choices made by some of the students.

8. I believe I am a good parent. I believe my wife and I have instilled our Christian and civic values in my son, and he is God's present to my heart. I am thankful for the many positive influences on his personal development, including the teachers and other adults. He will make mistakes, and it is my job to guide, correct and discipline him. He is not a danger to other families or to the students at Lewis-Palmer High School, and it was silly to remove him. Fortunately, the expulsion was only for the duration of the trimester. I am thankful to the LPHS Principal for that. However, the expulsion and the permanent record of suspension and expulsion were unnecessary, and the policy should be changed accordingly.

9. I have neither stated nor believe that my son or my family are victims in any way. We are not victims. I believe we all own our lives, and we work to make the best of situations. Our choices have consequences. Having gone through many emotions during this time, I must find a way to be thankful for the experience. It will make our family stronger and wiser. I wrote a long letter to my son to use as guidance. We've had many talks. I've also kicked his butt from here to China. We have gotten closer to some other families. We live in a good community. I've been privileged to volunteer coached several soccer, baseball and basketball teams over the years here. I was proud to have led Cub Scout dens and packs. I am active in church and love to sing in the Christmas Cantata given at the High School. The value system in our community allows a bias towards athletics at LPHS, which can be balanced over time with insightful leadership. We can fix this. The School Board works for us, and we can constructively help them understand the consequences of their choices, for everyone's good.

Sincerely,

Mike