School board OK's policy banning marijuana on school property

Wahkiakum School District’s board of directors approved a policy on Tuesday night prohibiting the use, possession, or distribution of marijuana on school district property and also discussed the payment of transportation costs for summer extracurricular programs.

Last fall, Washington voters approved Initiative 502, which legalized the possession of an ounce or less of marijuana for people age 21 and older. However, public use of marijuana remains unlawful and violators can be fined.

At their January 24 meeting, board members directed District Superintendent Bob Garrett to draft a policy for their review. He adapted the language of the district’s tobacco possession policy to craft the document that was approved by the board.

Board member Mike Quigley commented that his workplace was going through a similar policy development process.

In other business, Garrett proposed a change to the way in which transportation costs for summer extracurricular programs are paid.

He explained that several athletic programs, notably the high school football and basketball teams, travel to camps and games during the summer in order to prepare for school year competition.

In the past, these programs have used district vehicles and have had their fuel costs covered. “Sometimes they go great distances. We’re spending quite a bit of money on this,” Garrett said.

His proposal is for the sports programs to continue using district vehicles, but to pay for fueling out of their own budgets.

Garrett told the board that he would invite the coaches to the board’s March meeting in order for them to provide feedback about the proposed change.