Task Force Will Look at Braintree High School Alcohol Policy

A new task force will be formed to help decide if Braintree High School’s chemical health policy needs revision.

Braintree School Committee Chairman David Ringius Jr. announced the initiative at Monday night’s school committee meeting in response to the criticism surrounding the suspension of multiple Braintree High School students who were at two parties with alcohol in late September and early November.

The committee will feature members of the Braintree High School staff, parents, and students who will look at what changes could be made to the policy.

“My idea is to look at it in a broad base way to bring in different folks so we’re not getting one perspective,” Ringius said.

Joining Gingius will be school resource officer Lisa Fahey, athletic director Michael Denise, high school housemaster Andy Delery, parents Kerrie Dougherty and Cathy Maguire, and students Brooke Lochiatto and Megan Rennie

The main focus of the group will likely be the portion of the policy concerning what is known as constructive possession. In late September, 11 students were suspended after a party with alcohol was broken up by police. Some students, including former dance team captain Danielle Tressler have stated that they did not drink and told WHDH that they were not aware of that alcohol was being consumed at the party.

On Oct. 6, a group of students and parents showed up unannounced to a school committee meeting to protest the punishments which they say weret not fair.

According to the Braintree High School student handbook, “Constructive Possession means possession in which the possessor does not physically have the item on his or her person but is aware that the item is present and is able to exercise intentional control or dominion over it.”

The policy goes on to say that students that are in the presence of alcohol and are aware of its existence should take immediate steps to remove themselves from the setting.

The policy is in effect 24 hours a day, seven days a week from the first day of school until the end of the academic year.

Like the previous meetings, students and parents were present to recommend lesser punishments to those believed to be guilty by association.

Sean Martin, the father of a suspended student, said he would like to see a warning given to those not drinking at parties broken up by the police.

“When I got to the site, the officer said he was not drinking and was very respectful. Then he said the the bad news - discipline. What I say is for those kids to be found not drinking and there is that gray area, they should get a warning,” Martin said. “For one small mistake, he’s going to pay the price of and it will affect his college applications because he can no longer say he is the captain of the wrestling team.”

Due to the suspensions, some of the students will not be able to attend this week’s Homecoming festivities and were removed as captains of their athletic teams and clubs.

Ringius said that the punishments were consistent with the policy and will not be reversed or retroactively changed based on the possible findings and recommendations of the task force.

The task force hopes to have recommendations for the school committee by February.

Do you think the policy on constructive possession needs to be changed or is fine the way it is? Tell us in the comments section!