Teens can lose licenses for violating school policies
Staff reporter
If you were to ask a teen what the worst possible thing that could happen to them was they probably would say not being able to drive.
Taking away a teen's freedom to go places and be with friends is a sure way of getting their attention.
But does it make sense to suspend teens' driver's licenses for violating school policies?
"Yes," said Marion High School Principal Ken Arnhold.
"It's a great tool," Arnhold said, "to tell students this could happen."
"No," said Hillsboro High School Principal Dale Honeck.
"I disagree with the policy. I believe having and keeping a license is a law enforcement issue, not a school issue," he said. "I really don't see this as a good thing."
Curt Graves, Goessel High School Principal, said he appreciates the intent of the law.
"Driving is important to high school students and a convenience for many parents in the rural setting," he said.
Peabody-Burns High School Principal Mary Brown also supports the policy.
"Teens really value their driver's license," she said, "and need to know it could happen to them."
Bob Kiblinger, Centre High School Principal, said he supports the policy but in the three years he has been with the school district, he hasn't had to enforce it.
"We haven't had any expulsions in the past three years," he said, but he said as his freshman class prepares to take driver's education, he talked to them about maturity.
"If the students are not mature enough to handle school, then they are not mature enough to handle driving," Kiblinger said.
The statute, 72-89c02, gives authorities the power to suspend driver's licenses based on certain school safety violations.
Basically any student who is 13 years of age or older and has been found in possession of a weapon, controlled substance or illegal drug at school, on school property, or at a school-supervised activity that could have resulted in serious bodily harm to others, the chief administrative officer of the school will make an immediate report to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
The law enforcement agency then will investigate the matter and provide written notice to the division of motor vehicles of the department of revenue of the act committed by the student.
The division of vehicles could suspend the student's driver's license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle for one year.
After the one-year period, the student then can apply to the division of vehicles to have the license returned.
If the student does not have a driver's license, then driving privileges will be not be allowed for one year.
With this law in effect, none of the principals or law enforcement is aware of any students actually having their licenses suspended.
"We never receive notice back that a license has been suspended," Arnhold said.
At Marion High School, Arnhold said school officials have taken a more proactive approach to reduce drug-related incidents by having a drug dog go through the school and lockers.
"We're doing this, not so much to catch students but to let them know that drugs will not be tolerated on school grounds."
At Goessel High School, student safety is a top priority.
"Law enforcement is notified of any illegal activity," Graves said. "We truly have great students and excellent parental support."
All of the schools have student handbooks that specifically address these issues. School administrators are required by law to report any illegal activity to local law enforcement and it is up to law enforcement to follow through.
