Parents are calling for a reform or review of private schools? suspension and expulsion policies, fearing that zero-tolerance policies are uprooting students unnecessarily.
The mother of one former Loyola Blakefield student, who wished to remain anonymous to protect her son, said the common private-school policy of expulsion after one major offense was perhaps too draconian and deserved a serious review, especially when combined with students? acceptance of drugs and alcohol in school.
“These kids don?t get kicked out of their families when they make a mistake; and these schools are like families for them,” she said. “You don?t even get a review ? there?s no review, no negotiations, no discussions, no bribes. You?re just out.”
At least six students were either expelled or compelled to withdraw from the Jesuit-run, all-boys upper school in the 2005-06 school year, the mother said ? a rate that has parents worried about both the expulsion policies and the culture of acceptance that has allowed expulsion-worthy offenses to flourish. Students withdrew or were expelled after being accused of cheating or drug-related offenses, parents said.
“When my son ran into his ?issues,? I got calls from lots of parents,” the mother said. “And the first thing they always said was ?It could have been my son.? ”
Several parents and students contacted The Examiner upon hearing that a surprise locker search of a student in the first week of May ledto the discovery of a stash of marijuana at Loyola ? allegations school officials repeatedly denied. One mother said at least four students were expelled or withdrew from school for drug-related incidents, including the most recent case involving the locker search.
Because he is a minor, The Examiner will not reveal the name of the student who withdrew from school after the alleged locker incident.
School spokeswoman Kathi O?Conor denied that there had been a locker search or any drugs found, and said police had not been involved. “Any individual discipline issues with students, we don?t comment on. We don?t invade their privacy that way,” O?Conor said.
Cpl. Mike Hill of the Baltimore County Police confirmed that police had not responded to the school that weekend.
“Hypothetically, if anybody finds drugs, they should call the police. It is a criminal offense,” he said. “If they take it off a person, then it?s evidence.”
The Loyola mother said that when drugs have been confiscated, police were seldom contacted in order to protect the children involved. Another parent confirmed there had been a drug bust and that police had not been called.
“You can?t [arrest] all these kids. Buying grass to them is like going to the store and buying a candy bar,” the mother said. “Schools are scrambling to find ways to address it.”
Anti-drug counseling should be offered to students earlier, she said. Another parent suggested an “honor panel” to review expulsions.
O?Conor said Loyola hosts mandatory substance abuse seminars for the student body and invites parents to evening assemblies, but parents seldom attend, the mother said.
