A concerned parent asked the Marion County School Board to consider amending its rules regarding amnesty for students who voluntarily turn in drugs and tobacco.
Irene Seiden, whose children attend schools in Belleview, made the comments to the board during their regular meeting on Tuesday, May 25.
“If a child finds tobacco or drugs on school grounds, what should that child do?” asked Seiden. She went on to explain that after her son found a vape pen, he “immediately and voluntarily” turned it in and was suspended from his school for three days.
“He missed three days of classroom time. The rule states that he could have been suspended for upward of 10 days. This inflation is on his permanent record,” said Seiden.
She suggested that the amnesty policy, which protects students from consequence if they turn in a weapon (except a gun), should be extended to drugs and tobacco as well.
“We all know that if a child finds something on school grounds that should not be there, we all want that child to bring it to a school authority,” said Seiden. “My son did that, and he was treated like a criminal.”
For more information on the school board and its policies, visit the Marion County School Board. https://www.marionschools.net/