Northmont student appeals pot suspension
Northmont City Schools board of education will hold a special session to hear the suspension appeal of a student, according to the student’s attorney.
Christine Baker said in a press release that her client, Jordan Evans, a 10th-grade student at the school, was suspended for possessing marijuana after a teacher decided he smelled like the plant.
Baker contends Evans passed two drug tests.
“On Jan. 22, 2020, Katina Cottrell learned of Northmont’s intent to suspend her son for 10 days, the maximum suspension allowed under Ohio law,” the release says. “Jordan had been applying lotion in class and a student said that it smelled like marijuana. Upon hearing this, Northmont personnel suspended Jordan for possessing marijuana. Jordan, who is African-American, was excluded from all classroom and extra-curricular activities.
“On her way to the high school, Ms. Cottrell picked up a drug test. The results indicated no marijuana present in Jordan’s body. Ms. Cottrell then transported her son to urgent care, where he submitted to another test. Again, no marijuana was detected. Nonetheless, Northmont High School principal Teresa Dillon refused to re-consider the suspension.”
Baker says no marijuana was found on Evans.
Northmont City Schools spokeswoman Jenny Wood said the district cannot comment on student discipline.
Baker said she has heard stories from other parents who told her white students received a less harsh punishment than Evans has. Evans has already served his suspension, she said.
The board meeting takes place at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday.