Lynbrook School Board Modifying Student Participation Contract

The Lynbrook Board of Education is in the process of modifying the district's Extra-Curricular Activity Participation Contract, which inspired some controversy this past school year.

At the board's Tuesday meeting, trustees said they were changing the language in certain sections of the two-page contract, which every student and parent of a student participating in extra-curricular activities must sign.

The board is removing the word "suspected" from a section which outlines the district's zero-tolerance policy on students using alcohol or drugs. Last year, the district came under some criticism for disciplining some Lynbrook High School students who school officials believed were at a home where alcohol was being served. Though some students had been found, by police, to have consumed alcohol, many did not drink, parents said.

But even some students found to be sober were barred from attending the high school's annual Class Night, enraging many parents who said the district did not have the right to step in on a non-school matter and that their children were not given the opportunity to explain their side of the story.

"The word 'suspected' became problematic," said Superintendent Dr. Santo Barbarino. "That subjectivity was taken out and this made it a more concrete area for the contract."

The phrase was changed to the following: "Students found to have been, or observed, under the influence of alcohol or any other drug, in possession of alcohol or any other drug or a weapon, may be ineligible to participate in the extra-curricular activities for a length of time to be determined by the building principal and/or the director of athletics…"

However, board president Cathy Papandrew said she was not comfortable with the word 'observed,' either, and it may be removed in the final draft.

One phrase was removed from the contract: "By refraining from the use of such substances before, during, and after activities and contests."

"There was concern that this might have been intrusive," Barbarino said.

The next meeting of the Lynbrook Board of Education is scheduled for Aug. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Atlantic Avenue Board Room.