A mandatory parent meeting called by Swampscott High School leaders in Massachusetts wrapped up last night with mixed reviews. Some parents felt school officials were too heavy-handed, threatening to punish kids if parents didn’t show. Others believed the compulsory meeting was warranted given the challenges facing the community and teenagers regarding drug and alcohol abuse.

A letter sent out to parents and signed by Swampscott’s new principal, Layne Millington, informed the recipients that “all parents or guardians must attend.” If parents failed to show at the meeting or failed to make other arrangements to meet with the principal their kids would not be allowed to participate in extracurricular activities.

To accommodate the parents of all 770 students the meeting was held in two groups. The gatherings were called to inform parents about expanded rules under the school’s new chemical health policy. Millington points out a committee of students, parents, administrators and teachers created the new policy, which includes consequences for all students, not just athletes, who are caught abusing drugs or alcohol. The repercussions include having the privilege to participate in extracurricular activities revoked. No clubs, no trips, no sports.

Millington says the committee came up with the mandatory requirement and other rules. He points out that parents were given ample opportunity to weigh-in on the policy during its formulation.
Still, some parents felt last night’s meeting didn’t afford enough opportunity for back and forth.

Iris Goldman, whose daughter is a sophomore, stands behind the school official’s effort to crack down and wasn’t bothered by the mandatory nature of the meeting but said some parents felt they were not given a chance to weigh-in.

“I think there were people who were frustrated because they wanted it to be more of a dialogue rather than a monologue but I think this is where we are in the process,” said Goldman. “At the end of a three month process the document has been formed and it’s ready to go and the opportunities along the way to have it tweaked have come and gone.”

Prior to the meeting several parents said they were miffed about being pushed into going, worried about kids being punished for something their parents failed to do, though all we spoke with agreed the issue of drug and alcohol abuse needs to be addressed.

“I agree that it is a huge problem but I don’t believe that they should be enforcing a mandatory meeting and penalizing the kids if the parents don’t show up,” said Heidi Smyth whose daughter is a junior at the school.

Parent Cristine DiBenedetto shared Smyth’s reservations.

“I think it’s a good idea to address the issue. As far as it’s mandatory, I think it’s a little too much to ask,” said DiBenedetto whose daughter, a senior, told her the meeting was a must.

Mark Caron, whose daughter attends Swampscott High, supported the mandatory meeting.

“All for it. I think some people just want to believe that it’s just not their kids and they blow it off and when something happens they’re the first ones in there screaming ‘why is my kid not going to basketball practice or whatever?” said Caron. “For me it would be mandatory regardless. I don’t see a problem with making people come if they want their kids to participate.”

Suffolk University Law Professor Michael Avery says the school may not be breaking any laws but could be seen as intrusive.

“Even if it’s not unconstitutional I think it runs against a lot of constitutional values, the integrity of the family, letting parents decide themselves what’s good for their children, not forcing people to go to meetings that they don’t want to go to,” said Avery.

Millington started on the job in July after serving in other districts. He’s seen many tragedies, from suicides to accidents, claim the lives of young people during his tenure as a school administrator and is unapologetic about the mandatory meeting.

“I don’t want to see this happen here. I don’t,” said Millington.