Four Fairfield Ludlowe students plead their case, but in the end the Board of Education leaned more toward the parents. Greg Convertito, Sam Audino, Grey Walker and Will Carroll urged the board to vote down a new policy to use Breathalyzers at school-sponsored dances. But the measure passed by a 5-3 vote Tuesday.
"The policy operates on the principle that students are guilty until you prove yourself innocent," Convertito said. "If I go to the prom, I have to prove that I haven't been drinking."
In the future chaperones will test all students and their guests for alcohol as they enter school dances and events. If they fail the test, and a retest if they choose to take one, they will not be allowed inside, and administrators will call their parents to pick them up. The policy also gives supervisors the right to test students again during the dance if they appear to be intoxicated.
Many parents in the audience supported the policy. They pointed out that many area towns have similar policies. And some saw the rule as a step towards reducing drunken-driving deaths.
"If you are saving one life, you are doing your job," said Debbie Strong. "I grew up in the town neighboring this. I had five different students in my graduating class killed in car accidents related to alcohol."
Vice-chair Pamela Iacono did not vote in Tuesday night's decision, citing lack of preparation on the board's part. At earlier discussions on the issue in June, many on the board decided to delay the vote until they had a student survey on drinking habits, which was not completed. "If the board asked for a survey to be done, and it's not done, how are we voting on this tonight?" she said. "I just have a serious problem with the procedure."
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