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Committee debates new drug-and-alcohol policy and a disciplinary rubric for Weston schools
Summary
The policy committee reviewed a revised district drug-and-alcohol policy and a proposed student conduct rubric modeled on other districts; discussion focused on definitions (including nicotine), search authority, off-campus conduct, and balancing disciplinary consequences with behavioral intervention and restorative approaches.
The Weston Board of Education Policy Committee discussed a revised drug-and-alcohol policy and a proposed student conduct rubric on June 3, focusing on how the district would define controlled substances, when school staff may search students or student property, and how off-campus behavior might trigger school discipline.
Tracy (staff member) described the packet: the district currently has administrative regulations without a matching policy, and the proposed change would repeal the existing regulation and adopt a policy based on the latest legislative updates in Connecticut and model language provided by the law firm Shumway ("Shipman" was referenced in the packet). Tracy said the updated policy "is incredibly clear that any sort of criminal behavior is completely unacceptable on campus. It needs to be addressed promptly and seriously. We do not tolerate things like possession or, selling." The committee also reviewed a proposed conduct rubric, adapted from Westport and used by other districts, that lists infractions and a range of consequences for grades 6-12.
Board members raised several operational and legal questions. Lisa (board member) and Michael (board member) asked whether nicotine and vaping products should be explicitly named in the definition of controlled substances; Tracy read the statute-based definition that covers substances "having a stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogenic effect" and agreed to obtain legal clarification. On searches, Jim (director of safety and security) summarized practice on campus: staff typically vet and search lockers and backpacks under "reasonable suspicion," but searches of vehicles on school property are more incident-specific and may require police involvement. Jim said school security staff will vet visitors at the door and described parallel processes that can happen at once: checking credentials, notifying administrators, and calling counsel if necessary.
Committee members discussed off-campus behavior and discipline. Tracy explained the policy allows suspension or expulsion for off-campus drug or alcohol use "if such drug or alcohol use is considered seriously disruptive of the educational process" and listed factors administrators may consider, including proximity to school, involvement of other students and any injuries. She said administrators rely on the "totality of the circumstances" in deciding discipline.
Several board members urged emphasis on intervention and restorative practices in addition to consequences. Lisa said poor behavior can be a "cry for help" and recommended using behavioral intervention plans and guidance supports alongside disciplinary responses. The proposed conduct chart includes ranges of consequences and educational or restorative responses; administrators said the rubric is meant to clarify likely outcomes for parents while preserving administrator discretion.
No final policy adoption vote occurred at the meeting. Staff said they will obtain clarifications (particularly about nicotine and search authority), finalize the rubric and present materials to the full board for the regular adoption process.
