Valley Journal
Valley Journal

This Week’s e-Edition

Current Events

Latest Headlines

What's New?

Send us your news items.

NOTE: All submissions are subject to our Submission Guidelines.

Announcement Forms

Use these forms to send us announcements.

Birth Announcement
Obituary

Charlo football season cancelled due to policy violations

Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local. You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.



Subscribe now to stay in the know!

Already a subscriber? Login now

CHARLO – Charlo School District trustees and superintendent attended a special board meeting on Monday, Oct. 15, in the high school library to hear from parents and community members about their comments and questions pertaining to the district’s alcohol, tobacco and drug policy set forth in the student handbook.

Acting on information that several students and student-athletes violated the district’s alcohol, tobacco and drug policy, school administration and coaching staff initiated an investigation into the reported alleged violations.

Upon completion of the investigation, where some students readily admitted to the violation and others acknowledged their violation after an initial denial, the school administration administered disciplinary suspensions based on the level of policy violations.

Before the board began taking public comment, Superintendent Steve Love reminded those attending the meeting that the board could not discuss individual students and employees in open session, according to state and federal law.

During the more than hour-long, standing-room-only special meeting, concerned and sometimes heated questions were raised as to the legality of the investigations, the “vague” policy description of solicited and unsolicited self-reporting, and the inconsistency in the disciplinary action taken by the administration.

The board went into executive session following the public comment session. The board acknowledged how the wording in the current student handbook could be misunderstood and noted the board would study the issue further before the start of next school year. No other action was taken by the board members during the executive session.

In a meeting on Thursday afternoon, the board made readjustments to prior disciplinary suspensions issued by the school administration. Students who had received a 21-day suspension received an adjusted ten-day suspension along with ten hours of community service. Other students who had received a ten-day suspension received an adjusted five-day suspension. Along with the students’ suspensions, the board canceled the remaining regular and playoff football season.

Sponsored by: