Keeping gangs out of school

By Kate Reardon

Herald Writer

MARYSVILLE — The Marysville School District could have more power behind its punch with a new policy on gang-related activity.

The school board is considering a gang activity policy that outlines punishment, such as suspension or expulsion, for students who participate in gang-related behavior.

The board could ask for public comments on the idea sometime next month, said Shirley Hodgson, executive director of human resources for the district.

"It’s meant to be pro-active," Hodgson said. "We wanted to protect the school district in terms of rights in discipline or removing from campus anyone who would be a detriment to students."

Gang behavior is described in the proposed policy as "use of hand signals, graffiti or the presence of any apparel, jewelry, accessory or manner of grooming which, by virtue of its color, arrangement, trademark, symbol or any other attribute which indicates or implies membership or affiliation with such a group."

The policy also outlaws initiations, hazings, intimidation and activities that cause mental or physical harm to students.

Hodgson said she wouldn’t say the district has a gang problem, and no specific incident led to the creation of the proposed policy.

"There’s always a certain amount of students gathering together, whether you call them gangs or not," she said. "We want to make sure those gatherings are legitimate and not a hazing or initiation."

The policy would also ban students from carrying cell phones and pagers on school grounds. Exceptions would be given to students who have parent or guardian-signed statements declaring the communication devise is "essential to the health and well-being of the student."

Under the policy, students reprimanded for gang-related behavior could be suspended or kicked out of school. The policy outlines three discipline steps: principal intervention, suspension, expulsion.

Mukilteo School District doesn’t have a gang policy but addresses the authority to discipline students in a policy handbook on student rights and responsibilities.

"It doesn’t outlaw gangs but outlaws all symptoms of a gang," spokesman Andy Muntz said. "Are there kids who are members of gangs who go to our schools? Probably. If we notice the activity and it causes a disruption in the school, we will deal with that problem."

Mukilteo schools also ban cell phones and pagers, Muntz said.

Marysville’s proposed policy also states that school district employees receive training to identify gang behavior.

Hodgson said the training has not yet been developed but would include aspects for parents, students and district staff. She said the training could begin as early as late winter.

"It’s intended to make us all aware of what we’re looking for and how to help our students identify activities that are not acceptable," Hodgson said.

The school board has the option to object, adopt or amend the proposed policy.

"We are very concerned about safety and protection of our students and that none of them are intimidated in any way," Hodgson said.

You can call Herald Writer Kate Reardon at 425-339-3455

or send e-mail to reardon@heraldnet.com

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