Date: Fri 07-Mar-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: DOTTIE

Quick Words:

schools-gambling-SADD

Full Text:

Board Allows SADD Casino Night Fund-Raiser April 4

B Y D OROTHY E VANS

Just this once and no more.

That was the gist of it, as Board of Education members sent a clear message

Tuesday night to the school community, in general, and members of Students

Against Drunk Driving (SADD), in particular, that future school-sponsored

events related to any form of gambling - even though no money changes hands -

will most likely be disallowed.

"This should be a board policy matter," said Superintendent John Reed.

With that statement, he placed the gambling-as-just-a-game issue at the top of

next week's agenda, thereby putting into motion the usual two-month process by

which the school board frames and considers any new policy issue, hears public

opinion, reconsiders the issue and then votes whether or not to adopt.

Last year, SADD had sponsored a similar casino night fund-raiser to

demonstrate that students could have a good time together at a school function

without alcohol being involved.

"It was well-attended. We had 150 students come," said SADD adviser and

Newtown High School English teacher John Percivalle, who spoke to the board on

the issue during the period for public comment.

Mr Percivalle pointed out that the only time students spent any money during

the casino event was at the entrance, where each person paid a minimal amount

to cover decorations, rental of the equipment, and refreshments. Any extra

money made at the door was donated to SADD.

During these casino games, students are given as many chits as they want and

play each game competitively, he said. If they win, they may turn their chits

in for prizes that have been donated ahead of time by local businesses

supporting the SADD message.

But, even after last year's successful event, there were rumblings from the

community - possibly because people did not fully understand how the

student-run casino games were played.

The issue resurfaced recently when board members received a letter from a

local physician questioning the wisdom of sponsoring a casino event, and

pointing out the following irony: while SADD is hoping to discourage addictive

behavior related to alcohol, it may, by sponsoring a gambling type event, be

encouraging another form of addictive behavior.

SADD co-president Laura Marusa was also present at Tuesday night's board

meeting, along with co-president Susan Anderson and SADD members Delphine Tuot

and Jennifer Chion.

Hoping to persuade the board to allow the casino night, she said the SADD

group had already sent out 900 letters to local businessmen soliciting their

support in the form of gift donations.

"We've gotten a good response. We don't want to look bad to all these

businesses that have already supported us," Laura said.

Because planning is already well underway for the April 4 casino night, and

because of what Dr Reed termed a "mis-communication" that occurred due to the

lack of a policy on gambling-related events during school functions, board

members were loathe to cut the students off in midstream.

"In no way do we question your good intentions," board chairman Herb Rosenthal

told the SADD group.

"I'm pleased that our high school has a group of young people who are that

concerned," echoed Isabelle Murray.

But, she reminded the SADD group that gambling was illegal for anyone under

21, and she added that, "In five years, you will change. At 16, you think you

know the world. At 21, you know you have so much to learn."

The problems of control and perhaps leading students down the wrong path was

on many board members' minds during the discussion.

"We should allow this night and then no more. You might plant seeds," said

board member Susan Hills, raising the moral issue.

"We have a dilemma in the way we view certain vices in our community. We

should try not to be inconsistent," said Amy Dent.

"Gambling is so pervasive in our society. We see it every time we go into the

7-11," said Peggy Ulrich-Nims.

That does not mean it should be condoned, she said.

Newtown High School Assistant Principal Jules Triber agreed with Mrs

Ulrich-Nims in part, but said he didn't see the planned event as being any

other than a social evening.

"In real life, the idea of raffles or a casino night is very much ingrained in

our society. We see this as a social evening out. SADD is showing us that you

can have fun without using substance," Mr Triber said.

Mr Percivalle had stated earlier he felt the reason so many students had

chosen to attend last year's event was because a casino night had a certain

"adult ambience" that attracted them.

Dr Reed commented he could see both sides of the issue. He welcomed further

debate by board members and looked forward to public input that he hoped would

come out during the next two months, as the policy issue is being considered.