The Galveston Daily News from Galveston, Texas • Page 9

GALVESTON COUNTY, TEXAS THURSDAY, MAY 8, 1997 A9 Proms being raided by TABC The Associated Frees DALLAS For a handful of Texas prom-goers, the fun dried up when the state liquor agents arrived. Spot checks have resulted in dozens of citations, including 16 at a Southfork Ranch prom where a limousine driver also was arrested, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission said Wednesday. The TABC announced "Operation Safe Prom-Safe Graduation" last month, saying it intends to have an enforcement presence at 60 percent to 70 percent of the state's high school celebrations this spring. Agents perform minor sting operations in and around the area of prom and graduation celebrations, monitor parking lots and talk with event chaperones. Operation Safe Prom is a milder version of the Arlington Independent School District's program, which required students to pass breath or saliva tests for alcohol intoxication before they were admitted to prom.

The idea was so abhorrent to some students that they staged their an alternative celebration. Most high school proms monitored so far have been without incident. The state credits good publicity and the schools' cooperation. However, 13 youths at Richardson J.J. Pearce High School's prom received citations for minors in possession of alcohol, with another citation for making alcohol available to a minor, said Sgt.

Brent Roberts at TABC's Dallas office. A limousine that carried up to 10 students Saturday also contained a large quantity of liquor, said TABC Sgt. David TABC may be attending proms thte weekend In Qalveston County high schools Galveston County high schoolers shouldn't be surprised to see local Ttexas Alcohol Beverage Commission officers show up at their proms this weekend. A expecte Friday and Saturd ay night to be the busiest this far into the prom season because several are scheduled this weekend, Sgt. Trey Rusk said.

Officers have and will conduct spot checks for underage drinkers in the parking lots where proms and graduation parties are held, Rusk said. So far, however, no arrests have been made in the two spot checks that have been conducted, Rusk said The Galveston TABC district also has to be concerned not only about proms from county schools, but out-of-county schools that celebrate in Galveston, Rusk said. From staff reports Alexander in Greenville. "Students are aware that we will be out there. We would rather go to proms and find they are totally in compliance than go to one like this and find numerous violations," he said.

"At nearly all the proms, with one or two exceptions, nearly everything is very well in order." He said the limo driver was charged with transporting alcoholic beverages in a dry area the ranch where television's "Dallas" was filmed. He also was sought on a warrant for outstanding traffic tickets and was jailed in Collin County. A dozen other Dallas County school proms monitored over the weekend found no violations. "We do consider alcohol a serious problem and have programs to prevent it," said Susan Dacus Wilson, Richardson Independent School District spokeswoman. "But sometimes students make stupid choices." Liquor agents found violations at a beach party after the Port La Vaca Calhoun High School prom Saturday night, said Sam Smelser, TABC assistant chief of enforcement in Austin.

"We have always done things like this in the past, but what we haven't done is to publicize it and make a program out of it and get the cities and schools on board," he said. Smelser said citations were issued for minors in possession of alcohol, making alcohol available to minors, and prohibited hours consumption in a public place. A minor in possession of alcohol charge is a Class misdemeanor punishable with a fine ranging from $25 to $200. "We had an excellent prom. Most of the kids stayed the whole time probably 300 students in a school of 1,100," said school Principal Horace Jennings.

"But we are on the beach and students from "victoria and some of the other schools come down here after their proms," he said. Schools may receive the Internet for cheaper rates America's schools would get to bring the Internet to students at bargain prices under a plan adopted Wednesday by the Federal Communications Commission. The plan would give schools discounts of up to 90 percent of the cost of bringing the Internet computer network into classrooms. Virtually all 110,000 elementary and secondary schools both public and private would be eligible for the discounted rates, which Congress required in a 1996 telecommunications law. Internet access is the centerpiece of President Clinton's second-term educational goals.

In addition to discounts for the Internet service itself; schools would be given discounts for the costs of hooking up to telecommunications networks necessary to tap into the Internet and the costs of wiring inside classrooms. vice President Al Gore said the FCC's action means that "our children will not be stranded in the high-rent districts of cyberspace." But Sen. John McCain, chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, who voted against the 1996 law, called the Internet project a "huge new fed- era! subsidy program." An independent third party, the National Exchange Carriers Asso- Working Together For A Stronger Texas! TEXAS COMMERCE EXECUTIVES Galveston Chamber of Commerce Texas City La Harque Charober of Coiauerce TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF BUSINESS iCHAMBERSOF COMMERCE. Together we work to improve your quality of life, to meet the of local business through expansion and creation of new jobs, and to keep abreast of current legislative issues. Support your local Chamber of Commerce during Texas Chamber of Commerce Week.

Chamber of Commerce May 5-9, 1997 SCHQOLSJN BRIEF elation, not the FCC will collect and dote out funds beginning Jan. 1,1998. Schools and II- braties can file applications for a slice of the funds beginning July 1. Sex education not part of a curriculum rewrite AUSTIN The state curriculum rewrite, shouldn't include sex education because Texas law leaves that issue to school districts, a conservative education activist said Wednesday. "It is clear that the Legislature intended for the highly sensitive subject of human sexuality instruction not to be taught on the basis of a statewide mandate, but rather on the basis of local decisions reflecting local input and reflecting community values at the local level," said Allan Parker of the Texas Justice Foundation.

The group favors limited government and, among other issues, supports allowing parents to use tax money for private school tuition. The hearth and physical educs- tion curriculum rewrite, which includes sex education, had many supporters at Wednesday's hearing by the State Board of Education. The State Board of Education will take a preliminary vote this week on hearth and physical education, along with a proposed curriculum for foundation sub- HOOLS jects InckJdingEniJjfeh, science, social studies and math. WsaMHtai education law receives overttaul WASHINGTON An overhaul of the law guaranteeing education for millions of disabled children speedily cleared House and Senatecommittees Wednesday after negotiators settled Ibrfc- standing disputes over discipline, children's rights and curbing legal costs. The overhaul and extension of the 1975 IrxJtvMuals.With Disabik ities Education Act could reach President Clinton's desk by month's end.

Committee approval fc4- lowed four months of intensive negotiations involving the House, Senate and Clinton administration over a bill that had stymied lawmakers for more than two years. A key compromise would give new powers to school officials to quickly remove disabled students who bring weapons or drugs to school, and keep them out for as much as 45 days pending a final decision. The removal policy has been limited to students who bring firearms. Also, a hearing officer rather than a court would determine whether children can be moved to another classroom or school for endangering themselves or other people. The Associated Press ENTIRE STOCK LILYETTEBRAS fH.US BUY 2 GET 1 FREE BY "SIMPLY SEAMLESS" Underwire Minimizer with close set, stay-put straps Reg.

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