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Number of sex incidents mars schools' reputation
(by Sue Hoffman - March 17, 2010)
Number of sex incidents mars schools' reputation
By SUE HOFFMAN
Highlighting the 2009-2010 school year at Solon High School are 33 National Merit semifinalists and commended students, 228 students designated as Advanced Placement scholars, four Presidential Scholar nominations and a number of top-ranking academic, athletic and musical groups.
These students and the hundreds who have become involved in community service projects to help people locally and abroad bring a stellar reputation to their school, officials said.
Considering all the accolades, school administrators have not taken lightly a March 2 incident in which two students were found having sexual relations in one of the school bathrooms.
"It makes us sick," School Superintendent Joseph V. Regano said. "We have great students. This blemishes how people view the Solon district and the students."
The two students were a 15-year-old female, who has been expelled for a maximum of 80 days, and a 17-year-old male. Since the male was a special-education student, he could not by law be expelled, but he has been removed from the school and is attending a school outside the district, Mr. Regano said. He said their actions were "clearly against the school code of conduct."
In Section 5 of the school handbook, the rule entitled, "Public Display of Affection or Sexual Acts," says: "Students shall not engage in kissing, embracing or any sexual acts or displays not appropriate to the educational environment."
In addition to the expulsion, the two students face disorderly conduct charges in Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court, according to Solon police, who were called by school officials at 11:31 a.m. that day. After questioning the two, police said it was determined that the sex was consensual.
According to police, it was the fourth sexually related incident in Solon involving teenagers in less than two months. Police said there was a report of a rape last month involving two 14-year-olds at Solon Public Library. Police also responded to reports of sexual battery at a wrestling match at the high school and at the Solon Community Center.
"None of these things are connected," Lt. Chris Viland, of the Solon Police Department, said Monday. He said they were "random occurrences" that happened to take place around the same time.
Regarding the March 2 incident, Mr. Viland said the police department has filed papers with the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court "with the expectation that there will be charges." He said the other three cases "are still under investigation."
Mr. Regano said, if there are more incidents involving sexual relations in schools and other public places, it's "a generational issue. It is not with this class or this school or community."
Last year, the district had the lowest number of referrals for disciplinary action in 10 years, he said. "This year, too, has been a good year."
Mr. Regano said the highest number of disciplined incidents occurred a few years ago when Solon had its biggest problem with mortgage fraud and there were more transient families in the district. Incidents have waned since that time, he said.
Tamara Strom, coordinator of communication services for the district, said a number of programs are in place in the schools to give students the tools to make good decisions, including health education, Drug Enforcement Resistance Education, Students Against Destructive Decisions and Accent on Youth. In addition, as part of the freshman mentoring program, all ninth-graders participate in the "Expect Respect" program provided by the Jewish Family Service Association in Beachwood. The program discusses teen dating violence, healthy and unhealthy relationships and stereotypes to avoid.
Solon Middle School Principal Eugenia Green recently stressed the important role that parents play in their children's decisions about sexual relationships.
"Teens who are close to their parents are 2.7 times less likely to engage in sex than those who are not close to parents," Mrs. Green said at a parent coffee. Seventy-one percent of teens who don't feel close to a mom or dad have sex by ages 17 to 19, compared to the 58 percent of teens who feel close to mom or dad, she said.
Mrs. Green gave parents this advice: "Maintain a warm, loving relationship with your child. Keep communications open. Talk to your kids about your values and expectations about sex. Help your child understand that they are valued and they need to value themselves."
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