District 219 Considers Changes To Extracurricular Code

Students at Niles West and Niles North high schools who violate the code of conduct could miss out on extracurricular activities.

The Niles Township High School District 219 board reviewed proposed policy changes on Feb. 28.

The proposed penalties would not be as severe – at least at first – for student athletes or those involved in other extracurricular activities who get caught violating the policy on alcohol and drugs.

That raised concern from school board president Robert Silverman, who suggested that the penalties for alcohol and drug violations stay the same because it has been effective in keeping students away from alcohol and drugs.

“Both of my kids were terrified of going to a party that even might have alcohol at it” because they didn’t want to suffer the consequences, Silverman said.

The proposed policy must be brought up at a second meeting before the school board can vote on it.

Under the current policy, students who have alcohol and drug violations must miss a third of the games, performances or other opportunities to participate for the season in whatever activities in which they participate. Such violations range from supplying alcohol or drugs to other students to attending a party where alcohol is consumed by underage people, but not the student.

“Not only was that inconsistent, it was unfair,” said Niles North High School Principal Ryan McTague. “A student might get in a fight and be suspended out of school for 10 days, but not miss any games. That led to a policy that parents complained was unfair.”

Under the proposed policy, students who violate the code in any way – whether by fighting, stealing, harassing another student or engaging in any of several other banned behaviors – will miss one sixth of the performances or games for their chosen activity. That penalty could be cut in half if the student complies with requirements such as making restitution or attending counseling sessions.

Under the existing policy, students are banned from all further participation in extracurricular activities for the rest of their high school careers after a fifth violation; under the proposed policy, students would be banned after their sixth violation.

The extracurricular code of conduct applied in and out of school, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year while students are in high school, and violations are cumulative for all four years. The consequences are in addition to any school discipline, such as suspensions, for students who violate rules at school.

Many of the alcohol and drug violations that have come to school administrators’ attention in recent years have come in the form of photos, turned in anonymously, by people who may have an agenda that has more to do with keeping a student out of an activity than promoting their safety or welfare, McTague said.

Kaine Osburn, the principal at Niles West High School, said the proposed extracurricular code of conduct would still be more stringent than similar codes in other school districts, and in some ways would be more stringent than the existing code.

McTague agreed.

“We expect an increase in violations, and we anticipate students talking about it more,” he said.

Board member Carlton Evans said the proposed policy could be more effective because it is clear and easy for parents to understand.

“What I see is this policy holding all parties responsible,” Evans said.