Dist. 203 eases punishment for students caught with medication

Naperville Unit District 203 has softened its disciplinary measures for students caught carrying non-prescription medication at school.

Administrators will now have more discretion in deciding how harsh the punishment will be for such violations.

Currently students must visit the nurse's office to get over-the-counter medication and must have the permission of both a physician and a parent. A student can have a doctor's note on file giving permission for medication needed regularly. Students who take medications they may need in an emergency situation may be given permission to carry them.

Students found in violation of this policy have previously been disciplined under Class 3 offenses, which call for suspension or expulsion. However, the board voted Monday to change carrying non-prescription drugs to a Class 2 offense, giving administrators more leeway in determining the punishment.

"I still think they need to be involved and aware of what's going on and have a conversation with the parents, but they're not obligated to take disciplinary action if they think there's a valid reason," Superintendent Alan Leis said.

The board voted 4-3 in favor of changing the disciplinary classification. Board Vice President Jackie Romberg and members Susan Crotty, Suzyn Price and Terry Fielden voted in favor, while President Mike Jaensch and members Jim Dennison and Dave Weeks voted against it.

Much of the debate Monday centered around whether to also allow students to carry a single dose of non-prescription medication without penalty.

Jaensch said the district's policy needs to be realistic and user-friendly, and changing the classification is a good start but the policy is still too restrictive.

But Price said the issue is "maintaining a healthy, safe environment," and Romberg expressed concern about liability issues if students are allowed to carry medicine.

The board will continue to discuss the single-dose issue next month.