(NOTE:  The issue of school discipline jurisdiction for off-campus activity is a critical one that repeatedly comes up in cyberbullying cases.  This “coach inspired” policy seems facially unconstitutional and is likely to be overturned.  – Mike)

By LAVINIA DeCASTRO
Courier-Post Staff

A Superior Court judge could temporarily prohibit the Haddonfield School District from enforcing its 24-7 drug and alcohol policy.

On Jan. 26, Judge Mary Eva Colalillo is expected to decide whether to grant a preliminary injunction prohibiting the district from enforcing the 3-year-old policy, which allows schools to discipline students arrested for using drugs or alcohol even if the offense occurred off campus.

Matthew Wolf, a lawyer representing a 15-year-old girl charged with alcohol possession, challenged the board’s right to discipline students for off campus activities in a lawsuit filed on Dec. 18.

“We believe that the policy is beyond the scope of what the law authorizes school boards to regulate,” said Wolf, who lives in Haddonfield.

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