At a work session before the Oct. 21 school board meeting, community members were invited to share their concerns regarding the recent decision to give breath analysis tests to Mancos High School students heading into the Homecoming dance this year.
Superintendent Brian Hanson said that John Marchino, the new secondary principal, had proposed the idea as something he had done at previous schools as a way to keep students safe, and keep the campus alcohol-free. However, they had neglected to inform families, leading to some concerns from parents and students.
Hanson said the work session was intended to be an apology for the break-down in communication.
“We just opened it up to conversation,” he told The Journal last week. “Yes, we made a mistake.”
Multiple parents crowded into the meeting room to share their thoughts and concerns.
Kaelan Everett, parent of a high school junior, said she found out about the Breathalyzer test on Sunday morning. Her son and his classmates had been notified of the test as they were leaving the Homecoming assembly, and “were pretty freaked out,” she said.
Everett was upset about the lack of communication and felt that conducting the Breathalyzer test without probable cause was not within the school district’s purview.
“I hope they never conduct these tests,” she said. “I just don’t believe that the cops should be involved in our kids’ education.”
Mancos Marshal Justen Goodall said that the school had asked the Marshal’s Office to be present and conduct the “portable breath test.” No students were found to be under the influence of alcohol, he said.
ealvero@the-journal.com