Teens Facing School Action

By ANN MARIE FRENCH
The Saratogian

BURNT HILLS — Sixteen of the 22 teenagers cited last Friday with being at an underage drinking party have been placed on athletic probation at the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School.

Letters have been mailed to parents notifying them of the probation, a school district spokeswoman said Thursday. The others were not on athletic teams.

This is the first offense for all the athletes involved, said Christy Multer, communications specialist for the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School District. They will be placed on probation for three consecutive district athletic seasons.

Offenses that occur during a current sports season result in a suspension of at least 20 percent of the team’s contests that season. Those who play a sport not currently in season do not face a suspension, she said.

The district requires that its athletes maintain passing grades, demonstrate good sportsmanship, follow specific athletic training rules and adhere to a code of conduct. The code prohibits any illegal conduct. It specifically prohibits possessing alcohol, tobacco, non-prescription or illegal drugs, prohibits selling or purchasing illegal drugs or alcohol, and prohibits hosting or attending alcohol or drug parties.

Saratoga County Sheriff’s deputies responded at 11:30 p.m. last Friday to a disturbance call at 84 Middle Line Road. The 22 teens there — all 16 or 17 years old — were charged with one count each of possession of an alcoholic beverage by a person under the age of 21 years with the intent to consume, a violation. They were given appearance tickets to answer the charge Feb. 11 in Ballston Town Court.

A sheriff’s department spokesman explained that just being at a drinking party is enough to warrant the charge, whether or not the teen was holding a drink or had alcohol on his or her breath. "You are all considered to be in possession of alcohol," said Chief Deputy Edward M. Rooney.

The usual process for first-time offenders of such a violation is for the court to offer to dismiss the charge on the condition of good behavior and possibly other stipulations, such as public service or attending classes about underage drinking. This would not result in a criminal record.

"In the eyes of the law, they are considered adult," Rooney said, referring to being 16 or older.

More than 250 comments have been posted to The Saratogian’s Web site related to Tuesday’s publication of the Sheriff’s Department press release that identified all of the teens.

The press release said the teens were arrested and issued appearance tickets to appear in town court. The term "arrest" is technically correct, although some people objected to the term because it has more severe connotations to the layman than being cited for a violation and issued a ticket.

The teenage host of the party was also charged with first-degree unlawfully dealing with a child.

All but one of the teens attends BH-BL. Codes of conduct and punishments for breaking them vary from district to district.