Zero tolernace means just that. No matter what the offense, zero means zero. If cells phone are not permitted, then punish the accused, of course once tried and ruling has been recorded. But what I don't get here is the true story behind a tragic loss. The young man bought a legal substance, which mimics the effects of a illegal substance. He knows not to bring the BANNED substance into school, and he got caught. So what now, let him off the hook? Zero means zero. But if the young man was a good as everyone says he was, then why on earth would he seek out a substance that could harm him, or even kill him. Was he depressed, closer family issues, girlfriend relationship? Who knows, and that's between his family and him, but the point is, he should (he probably did) have known better than to turn down the wrong path and obtain the substance in the first place. If we let kids make bad decisions, they must be accompanied by the reprocussions and serious consequences. What will they learn later on if they get a slap on the hand now. The fact that one incident like this with the chain of events, suspension, moving from school to school may have compounded a problem that already existed. I feel for the parents, I really do, but if you have to look at the young man and dig deeper into it to truly get at what caused this. A descision by the school board, his peers, and even school administators didn't do it. All they did was enforce the policy. I will hold the line on zero tolerance.

I totally agree with FFX County Resident. The policies are there to protect the students, staff and even the parents. Every FCPS student is required to sign the student handbook at the beginning of each year which clearly outlines the rules and consequences. Why are we blurring the lines here? To make sure everyone feels special and happy all the time? What kind of disservice are we doing our children to make them think they are not responsible for their actions? The rules were simple and clearly laid out. Break the rules, face the consequences. What exactly do all these outraged people think is going to happen to kids when they get out in the real world and have to face the consequences to their actions? Like speeding or driving drunk? Are we going to make exceptions there too, just to make everyone feel good about themselves?

If the outcome of this had been that those drugs ended up injuring or killing another student, we would be having a VERY different conversation.

Let't not forget these are still children. Is the goal here merely to punish or are we trying to help them make good decisions and learn from their mistakes? And what about the punishment fitting the crime? Just because the school board adopts a zero tolerance policy for so many things doesn't mean one size fits all. Three days suspension for using a cell phone? I've heard of kids getting suspended for taking a Midol or bringing a steak knife to cut their lunch. What's the lesson there? How was Nick Stuban helped by being suspended for so long and transferred away from his school, his friends, his team? The sad lesson I take away here is trust no one and get a good lawyer.

Lori, I have to disagree. One size does fit all, especially in highschool. Teen kids are more than responsible enough to know right from wrong. If not, I blame the parents. The policy is there, students are very aware of the consequences and should be enforced by the parents/ guardians. Midol, prescription drugs- no excuse; how does another school official know that it's not a synthetic drug like X. Drugs come in a variety of shapes and colors. Teachers are not drug experts and aren't apt to knowing the all the new "party" drugs or prescriptions out there. Students need to make admin staff aware that they need prescription meds on hand if there is a medical issue. Knives in the lunchroom; There are forks, knives, and spoons available for the children at school. I find it hard to believe that a student is having filet mignon for lunch that requires a ginsu 2000 cutlery device. The student in this story broke the rules, enough said. He had consequences. School, team, friends? Those were his consequences. He could've adapted and overcome. He would grown up a bit quicker than most his age if so, but, something else drove him to the point of ending his own life. I totally disagree that a school policy did. Calling in question to hire a lawyer is wrong. Saying that, causes one to think the board and folks are civily or criminally wrong. And of course as soon as one walks in the door, it starts to eat away the tax payers' dollars of this county to hold stance on a defense.

Unfortunately there are too many people like FFX County Resident on the school board. Did you read the detailed account of the case in the Washington Post? Suspensions are averaging 20 days - that is excessive. Expulsion for a legal substance is excessive. These are children - kids screw up - it is part of growing up. There need to be consequences for actions, but they should not be meant to destroy a child. FFX Count needs to seriously revise their disciplinary policies.

Ouch, a poke in the eye! First, I resent being compared to members on the school board. They have provided many bad decisions to this county, and I ensure I see further than the enclosed box those folks live in. I do see the world as black and "right", (that was pun, not meant to be derogatory). In my preteen years, I watched by brother being shuffled from school to school and many times expelled for doing stupid things.... spitballs, pocket knives on campus, tipping desk, and the list goes on and on. I know what the system does to kids as changes occur. My brother finally hit rock bottom and HE realized he was going no-where in life by doing what he did. He grew up, and fast. Yes, there were underlining circumstances that lead to his behaviors and dumb decisions, and it hit him like a rock. He attempted suicide twice...once I tackled him off the bridge and we both broke our arms. We laid in the hospital crying about life in general and how it wasn't worth this much pain. We blamed every teacher, administrator, and school policies for his behavior. All it took was a little verbal guidance from a counsler to get to the bottom of it. He was acting out because of the lack of support at home, cravy attention, and parenting issues. So...the bottom line, if you live within the guidlines laid out no matter who sets them and learn right and wrong from the start (starting at home), they will be no gray area to consider. That's when folks try to push the envelope.

Now, don't get me wrong, I do feel for the family, I truly do, and I express my sincere condolences, but there is more to the underlining issue of the school policy driving him to the unthinkable. Again, why on earth would he seek out a substance that could harm him, or even kill him. Was he craving more attention, did he have issues of a broken relationship, was it his family and medical issues surrounding them, peer pressure? Were there signs before hand that this was going to occur. I say yes, there always is and I can speak from experince, but with Nick, we may never know. But, holding the line and stance on the current policy in place did not cause this tragic moment. Poor decisions and the consequences did. He and every student knows the consequences. you would think that every parent does too if they read and sign the begininning of year documents sent home when school starts. Ignorance and gray areas shouldn't be an excuse. what will kids learn if they know thay can get away with it, with a slap on the hand? Something to think about- from another poster and confirmed, I work with LEAs, "JWH-0118" is synthetic marijuana (stronger than the original), and on 11/24, the DEA put a 1-year temporary ban (effective 12/24/10) on it while official studies are conducted. There is no question in anyone's minds as to what the verdict will be, and it is already banned in most of the EU. This is very different than children being kicked out of school for advil."