Judge rules against Haddonfield girl who challenged school’s off-campus drug-alcohol policy
By LAVINIA DeCASTRO • Courier-Post Staff • March 18, 2010
HADDONFIELD — An administrative law judge has ruled against the Haddonfield Memorial High School student who challenged the school board’s off-campus drug and alcohol policy.
In a ruling released on Tuesday, Administrative Law Judge John R. Futey refused to grant a stay that would prohibit the district from punishing the 15-year-old unidentified girl, saying her attorney failed to establish the existence of irreparable harm.
Haddonfield Superintendent Alan Fegley said through e-mail that the district “is pleased with this decision.”
The girl was the only student arrested during a Nov. 28 party at a home on Estaugh Avenue, but the district agreed not to discipline her under its 24-7 policy until the case was resolved.
Under the policy, students charged with drug and alcohol crimes must perform between 10 and 30 hours of community service and could be barred from participating in extracurricular activities. Consequences are more severe for repeat offenders, with mandatory drug and alcohol counseling encouraged for first offenders and required for subsequent offenses. Students in a position of leadership also suffer more severe consequences under the policy. (more…)
