As students filed into Pomona on August 16, 2000, for the first day of school, little did they realize how much the school conduct code had been changed. Teacher response and student consequences relating to such incidents have been adjusted. In short, Colorado lawmakers have given teachers and administrators even more power over students.

In a press conference on Thursday 24, 2000, Pomona Principal Dee Kehl explained the legislation that went into effect July 1.

The new bill states that individual teachers are given the power to suspend, or even expel students from their own classrooms as long as they follow "due process."

According to Kehl, Colorado legislators determined that classroom teachers should have the option of removing misbehaving students from their classroom. She believes lawmakers were reacting to some teachers who were frustrated by the lack of administrative support in their buildings.

This law allows teachers essentially the same power administrators have when dealing with disruptive behavior, however, they also have to fill out the same amount of paper work the administrators have to.

"I am totally against this rule," stated Tim Smiley, Chemistry/Field Geology teacher and coach at Pomona. "I don't think teachers have the right to suspend anyone for any reason. That job should be left up to the administrators," said Smiley.

Another major code change involves the way in which the administrators deal with drug and alcohol use and possession. The previous rule states that a student had to be using, under the influence, possessing, or exchanging drugs three times before they could be suspended or expelled.

According to Kehl and the newest Jefferson county school codebook, a student is now only given "two strikes" and the first offence involves a mandatory 10-day suspension. "With only 87 days in a semester, losing 10 would really hurt you," stated Kehl.

The second "strike" will now lead to a recommended school expulsion for one calendar year. The guilty student would not be able to attend any public school in the state of Colorado for that amount of time. And, according to Kehl, most private schools wouldn't take the student either.

Kehl also explained that the "two strikes and your out" carries throughout a student's public school career. If a student was caught in possession of a drug in fifth grade, then they already have "one strike" against them. Another would mean they would face expulsion.

Addition to changes in the country's student code booklet, students are also noticing some changes in Pomona policy during both lunches.

As students and faculty walk through the hallways during lunchtime, they find cones placed down the halls as barriers. This new fence is a reminder for all students that food is not allowed in the academic areas. The cone zone also limits hallway traffic during 5th hour classes.

According to Kehl, Gabe Telion, the school's building engineer, asked her to set up barriers to show the freshman and sophomores where they can eat, so the trash will stay at a minimum.

Last year he was frustrated with the amount of garbage strewn along the halls.