The Mt. Lebanon school board may vote Monday on an alcohol policy to address violations that are not school-related.

The school board has been discussing the district's alcohol and drug policies over the past few months after police issued drinking citations to about 40 Mt. Lebanon High School students at two separate parties during October.

The district has a policy to address school-related alcohol violations, but not one for non-school-related offenses.

Such a policy was introduced in January, but was sent back to committee for more work and consultation with the Mt. Lebanon police department, an underage drinking task force and the district judge.

The revised policy expands the definition of extracurricular and interscholastic activities; says confirmation of a violation may originate from misdemeanor and felony charges plus citations; makes clear that the policy is in addition to all current school district policies for drug and alcohol offenses; and provides a religious exemption and an exemption for circumstances in which the student's use, possession or consumption of alcohol or drugs is not in violation of the law. It also reduces the penalty for third and subsequent violations.

The proposed policy, on which the board is slated to vote Monday, addresses "use, possession, sale, distribution or procurement of any amount of alcohol, drugs, other controlled substances (other than legally prescribed medications) or drug paraphernalia or being under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other controlled substances."

Confirmation of the conduct would be through law enforcement, the student's parent or guardian, or the student, the proposed policy says.

A first violation calls for students to be restricted from school activities for 30 calendar days. The student also would be required to complete at least a three-hour community service project, but he could have the balance of the punishment rescinded if he underwent a drug and alcohol evaluation by a licensed drug and alcohol counselor, not at the district's expense.

A second offense would result in a 30-day restriction from school activities. Subsequent offenses would result in restriction from school activities for 60 days, excluding summer break. The previous version had restricted school activities for the remainder of the student's career in the district.

If the board adopts the policy next week, it will be implemented in fall 2010 and be accompanied by a publicity campaign to make students and parents aware of the rules.

"This is their out to be able to say 'no' to their peers," school board member Faith Ann Stipanovich said.

Some school board members expressed concern that the school board was overstepping its bounds, but said they supported establishing a clear set of expectations for students.

Also at this week's meeting, the school board heard from district finance director Janice Klein, who presented the first draft of the 2010-11 base budget, with a millage increase of 2.95 mills, down from the 3.41-mill increase included in the preliminary budget approved Feb. 15.

Ms. Klein said she will continue to work to decrease the millage if possible as the budget review process continues. The proposed final budget is scheduled for review at the April 12 board discussion meeting.

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