Saturday, January 17, 2015

McAllen dad upset over son's suspension over alleged drug use

1/17/2015


It has been more than a month since Robert Flores and his son Michael lives were turned upside-down.
 
“I just feel like I have failed my son,” said Flores.
 
He said it all started with a phone call from his son's school.
               
"They called my wife and told her that Michael was under the influence of drugs," explained Flores.
 
Flores told Action 4 News that school officials performed a sobriety test on his son, and that's how they determined Michael was under the influence of drugs.
 
Flores then drove straight to a drug testing facility where he got his 15-year-old son tested.
 
"They did the testing on regular drugs. Then I called Mr. Carmona and told him test came back negative and he said that synthetic doesn't come out on that," explained Flores.
 
Flores went back for a second test but that time for synthetic marijuana.
               
"It came back negative again," he said.
 
But still, Flores said that the school did not honor the test and placed Michael on in-school suspension.
 
A week later, Flores and his son attended a hearing with school officials and at that time school officials placed Michael in an alternative learning school.
 
Another week later, Flores met with a school official for and appeal.
 
“He still decided that it would be best for Michael to go to the I and G center," Flores said.
 
Action 4 News contacted the school for a comment, but because of privacy issues they could not comment on the case. However they issued this statement.
 
"The district has protocols in place for students who exhibit suspicious behavior. If there is reasonable belief a student is under the influence, they are subject to a mandatory removal from campus pending a hearing. This is a state policy. All students are afforded an appeals process,” said the statement from the McAllen Independent School District.
 
Even though Michael had a hearing and an appeal, he is still stuck attending a disciplinary alternative education program.
 
"He's not happy there," said Flores.
The school spokesperson could only tell Action 4 News that once a reasonable belief is established, protocol kicks in.
 
The school will evaluate Michael after 45-days and Flores said he hopes that evaluation will prove that his son is a good kid and he can return to his regular high school.


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