[simage=2785,400,y,center]

The Knoxville School Board had some lengthy discussion about their code of conduct at this week’s meeting. The main focus was the topic of alcohol and drug use by students in relation to their eligibility to participate in extra curricular activities such as athletics, clubs and student government. The board discussed the possibility of implementing a “mere presence” section to the policy, meaning students who are at a party or function where there is alcohol and/or drugs were present and they were aware of it and did not leave immediately, they too would be ineligible to participate in school activities. In addition, they discussed other ways to possibly decrease the length of the ineligibility period, including community service and counseling. After the discussion the board chose to not implement maintain the status quo, they concluded that adding these extra stipulations would result in more gray areas and instead they will be researching other ways to encourage students not to use drugs and alcohol.