OJAI : Nordhoff Students Propose Solutions to School Problems

About 75 Nordhoff High School students held a brainstorming session Friday to come up with solutions to recent problems such as an increase in alcohol-related incidents on the Ojai campus.

The students were members of the new Student Congress, formed to broaden student representation and make recommendations on school policies. One elected and one teacher-appointed student represented each homeroom class.

Topping the agenda of the group’s inaugural meeting was the school’s attendance and tardiness policies, which triggered a student demonstration earlier in the week. During a midmorning snack break Wednesday, about 100 students, some carrying banners and posters, protested that the policy is too strict and does not permit enough excused absences.

Under Nordhoff’s attendance policy, a student’s grade may be lowered if the students has more than seven absences per semester, except absences for school-related activities. The policy does not permit students who cut class to make up work or exams.

The students also discussed new restrictions to a school parking lot. The lot was closed during school hours after officials learned that students and non-students were using it as a place to drink and use drugs, said Assistant Principal Jack Smith.

Students also discussed the escalating number of students caught drinking alcohol on and off campus.

At a school board meeting last week, Principal Ron Barney said 14 students have been suspended for five days each because of alcohol-related incidents this year.

At Friday’s 45-minute session, the student representatives called for more severe penalties for students caught drinking alcohol, speakers and films on substance abuse, increased staff awareness of the symptoms of alcoholism, more police at dances, and reopening of the parking lot with tighter security.

Co-chairs Brian Vrtis and Jennifer Walters, along with student facilitators, will meet with school officials next week to discuss the recommendations.

Barney, Ojai Supt. Andrew Smidt and other school officials attended Friday’s meeting but did not participate.