Whitehall administrators propose therapeutic alternative to some drug-possession suspensions after review of recent cases

Whitehall High School Principal Dr. Paul Mays told the Whitehall-Coplay School District Board on Aug. 11 that the district disciplined 18 students last school year for possession or use of drugs on school property and proposed a narrowly targeted, case‑by‑case process to offer therapy as an alternative to serving the full suspension for some first‑time offenders.

What the principal reported: Dr. Mays said THC vapes were the most commonly confiscated paraphernalia and that the district routinely issues a three‑day out‑of‑school suspension followed by a hearing to determine whether suspension duration should extend to a policy maximum of 10 days. He said most of last year’s cases were extended from three days to ten; one student was a repeat offender. Dr. Mays said roughly half of the 18 students were receiving special‑education services and noted the district faces statutory and procedural…