Survey Queries Students On Guns, Drugs, Violence

Sixty-nine percent of Central Valley School District seventh through 12th graders said they would not report it if they saw a student with a weapon at school.

Eighteen percent said they had brought a weapon to school. Only 9 percent said there is no gang activity in the schools.

These are some of the statistics uncovered in a recent poll conducted by Central Valley School District to learn about students’ feelings and actions. The poll is conducted every year, but was expanded this year in light of rising youth violence in Spokane County.

Some of the statistics seemed on target to Central Valley High School students. But they disagreed with others.

“There might be gang problems in the other schools, but not in our school,” said Peter Martin, a CV junior.

But when told that 40 percent of last year’s high schoolers said they had tried smoking marijuana, Martin and two friends, both seniors, were not surprised.

“That, I’d believe,” was the response.

The district’s principals met last week to formulate plans at every level - elementary through high school - to address problems uncovered by the survey.

Among the other findings:

Ten percent of all Central Valley students said they don’t feel safe on their school campus.

Only 12 percent of seventh through 12th graders said kids treat each other with respect.

Forty-seven percent of that group said harassment is a problem.

“There is a lessening of the feel of community,” said CV assessment coordinator Geoff Praeger in a presentation the school board. “They’re still happy with the schools and the teachers, but not with each other.”

“Those are great barriers to getting a solid education,” CV school board member Linda Tompkins replied.

Between 1994 and 1995, the number of seventh through 12th graders who said they use drugs at school increased from 9 to 18 percent.

The number who said they’ve witnessed drug use at school rose from 8 to 14 percent. Between seventh and 12th grade, the number who said someone had offered them drugs rose from 30 to 60 percent.

Though disturbing, school officials were pleased to identify problems in the district so action can be taken.

“It points out some areas that need to be addressed,” said school board member Cynthia McMullen. “It means we’ve been able to target areas that need to be looked at.”

, DataTimes