School Breathalyzer Policy Scrutinized

By LORI STABILE (lstabile@repub.com)

PALMER - The School Committee will again discuss implementing a Breathalyzer policy at its meeting Thursday, and the superintendent said anyone who has concerns about it is welcome to attend.

"We're doing it to be proactive . . . and to avoid having negative repercussions and sad consequences," Superintendent Gerald A. Fournier said last week.

The Breathalyzer issue first came up in June, and was recently discussed by the committee's policy subcommittee.

Fournier said Breathalyzers, which are used to measure a person's alcohol level, are used in several other districts, including neighboring Monson.

He said he has heard little from the community about the policy, and said people who want to comment "positively or negatively" on the policy should attend the meeting, which starts at 7 p.m. at Palmer High School.

School Committee members earlier this month said feedback from parents about the policy has been positive.

Fournier said he has had only one individual express concern about it.

School nurse leader Donna Callahan wrote an e-mail to School Committee Chairwoman Mary A. Salzmann about Breathalyzers, saying she felt it was a "bad move" on the part of the committee.

Callahan said if a faculty member suspects a student is under the influence of alcohol the student should be taken to the nearest medical facility.

"We would not only be placing the student in danger, but we could be leaving ourselves liable for any issues associated with this policy and the use of this machine," Callahan wrote.

The policy would be in effect at all schools, and may be given to all students, as a condition for admission to school events, or just to students exhibiting signs of intoxication, Fournier has said.

The policy is expected to be adopted at a September meeting.

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

(Source: The Republican)