Schools

Alcohol at the Prom: Do You Support Zero-Tolerance Enforcement?

A bus driver who transported 35 student leaders from Dixon to a prom found a bottle containing alcohol on the bus, prompting the kids to be banned from the dance. If that happened here, would you support the school administration?

 

There's a wild story developing up in Dixon, one that you'll probably hear and see on radio and TV news in the coming days (although our Patch buddy Carlos Villatoro is all over it already). You might be interested here in Rohnert Park because we're heading into prom season at area high schools -'s is May 12, at Santa Rosa's Flamingo Hotel.

Thirty-five students from Dixon High's leadership class were banned from their junior prom when someone allegedly left a bottle of vitamin water containing alcohol on the bus that took them to the dance.

Find out what's happening in Rohnert Park-Cotatiwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The students — some of whom had participated in an last week warning them of about the dangers of drinking and driving — were stuck outside the venue when they were blocked from attending the event they had planned. The students said they were bitter about the way that the school's administration handled the situation, partly because the school had not provided a Breathalyzer test that was mentioned in a contract students and parents signed.

The contract states: "Students suspected of being under the influence will be subject to evaluation by DHS Administration and/or local law enforcement, including a Breathalyzer exam. The students who are under the influence will have their parents contacted for pick-up."

Find out what's happening in Rohnert Park-Cotatiwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Students planned to protest on the Dixon campus Monday by wearing their prom outfits to school and using social media to share their angst.

Rancho Cotate social media skills were proven last year when a YouTube video of students dancing to ask a girl to the prom went viral

If such a thing happened here, how would parents react? How would students react? How would school district officials react? Vote in our poll and share your comments below.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here