Swampscott school board amends chemical policy

SWAMPSCOTT – The School Committee standardized the Chemical Health Policy so that all students receive counseling after their first violation even if that violation occurs during the summer, addressing community concerns before Town Meeting considers adopting a law that would essentially invalidate the controversial policy.”I think we’ve heard the community and we’re sensitive to that,” said departing School Committee member Maureen Thomsen, who authored the amendment. “I think it is a legitimate concern about punishing (violations) before counseling.”Although she characterized the change as “minor,” Committee Chair Jacqueline Kinney said that it addresses parents’ concerns that athletes (who adhere to a Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association policy that bans them from a quarter of their games if they violate that association’s chemical policy) couldn’t participate in school activities for behavior outside of school. School Committee member Laurier Beaupre noted that the policy as amended accomplishes the goal of stressing intervention rather than punishment.School Committee member Glenn Paster voted against the measure, objecting to changing a policy and undoing the hard work of all who had worked on it before giving it a chance. He also wondered if vocal opponents of the policy would “smell blood in the water” and be strengthened in their push for its appeal. Beaupre wondered whether this amendment would sway those “on the fence” about the policy.