Charges bring 2 expulsions

The students will not return to school this year.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
POLAND -- Two Poland Seminary High School students charged with selling drugs on school property have been expelled from school after separate hearings with the superintendent this week.
Sophomore Thomas Probst, 16, had a hearing involving his parents, Superintendent Dr. Robert L. Zorn and Principal Brian Wolf Wednesday. A hearing for sophomore Albert Santiago, 16, that included his parents and school officials took place Friday.
Zorn said the hearings were on different dates because Santiago's legal counsel requested an extension beyond the first hearing date.
Probst is charged with five counts of trafficking in drugs, and Santiago is charged with 19 counts of trafficking in drugs.
The punishment: Both boys have been expelled from school for 80 school days -- meaning they will miss the remainder of this school year and the early part of next school year. The boys will return to school Nov. 1.
Zorn said the expulsions pretty much guarantee the boys will not pass this school year, and they will be "hard pressed to pass next school year."
"Both of these students received equal treatment and equal punishment for equal crime," he said. "Our policy says if you sell drugs on campus you will be expelled. It is a hard lesson, but sends the message to other kids that if you sell drugs in Poland schools this is what will happen."
Both boys had been suspended from school for 10 days pending the expulsion hearings. Zorn said under Ohio law a principal can suspend only up to 10 days. Anything longer requires an expulsion hearing. The maximum expulsion time allowed in Ohio is 80 school days, he said.
Others arrested: Six other students have been arrested on various drug charges over the past several weeks. Three of the students charged with possession of a controlled substance were suspended for 10 days each, Wolf said.
The other three are accused of smoking marijuana off school property and may not be formally charged. Police Chief Carl Massullo has said they may be handled through some type of diversion program instead of criminal charges.
Wolf said the attitude of the remaining student body differs from student to student.
"Some students appear to want to think about spring break, prom and graduation, but some of the students are still concerned and realize additional steps may be taken," he said.
Massullo has consistently said the investigation is ongoing.
Wolf said a program at the school Wednesday by delegates of the Mahoning County Misdemeanor Drug Court program had a positive effect on students and encouraged those who have been resisting drugs and alcohol to continue doing "the right thing."