‘Zero Tolerance’ At Root Of Teen’s Expulsion Over Leaf Parent Says School Overreacted When School Searched Son’s Van After Finding Fern Leaf

A thumbnail-sized green leaf found in a garbage can at Sandpoint High School has parent Jean Plue seeing red.

The leaf was found in an outside garbage can that also contained her 16-year-old son’s paycheck stub.

School officials concluded the green leaf was marijuana and it must belong to Plue’s son.

It turned out it was just a fern leaf.

But Plue’s son was still searched by school officials and principal A.C. Woolnough. The teen’s pockets were emptied, his locker and his van searched.

School officials found a miniature knife on a key ring stuffed in the ashtray and a three-inch jackknife in the glovebox of the boy’s locked van.

For that, Plue’s son was suspended for five days as part of the district’s zero tolerance weapons policy.

“I have a problem with the way this whole thing came down,” said Jean Plue.

“I have a problem the green leaf in the garbage was linked to my son. I have a problem that they did a search when they likely knew the green leaf was not marijuana. And I have a problem with them saying my son could be expelled for what they found.”

Principal Woolnough declined to comment on the incident, saying it was inappropriate to talk about student discipline issues.

He did say that at no time was Plue’s son accused of using or being under the influence of marijuana.

Plue said the school overreacted. Her sophomore son was singled out because he has long hair and so do his friends, she said.

She described her teenager as an average student, not a trouble-maker and not an honor student.

“He’s a good kid and I think the school really blew this out of proportion.”

A parking lot attendant apparently found the green leaf while looking for evidence that nearby residents placed their own trash in the school’s garbage can.

“If they are educating kids about drugs and busting them for marijuana then they better know what it is,” Plue said.

Assistant Superintendent Jim Fisher said he understands Plue’s criticism but stands by the school’s decision.

“We have a zero tolerance policy and we assume that’s what it means,” Fisher said. “If we are going to get criticized I prefer it be for going a little bit overboard on drugs, alcohol and weapons, rather than being apathetic about it.”

Plue also was upset her son could have been expelled after the search of his van. Yet, no one returned her phone calls when she tried to find out what to do about the possible expulsion.

Considering the circumstances, Fisher said he recommended to the principal and superintendent that Plue’s son not be expelled for the weapons’ violation.

“I make my recommendation to the principal and superintendent, not the parent,” Fisher said.

Plue complained to school board members about the fiasco Friday and was glad her son was back in school.

“Nothing will probably come out of it,” Plue said. “But I hope this will make them look at their zero tolerance program and give a little bit of courtesy to students and parents.”