Suspensions are first of their kind in years

WESTMINSTER -- The recent suspensions of two 5-year-old Carroll County students for exchanging prescription drugs was probably the first time such a penalty has been imposed on a kindergartner in the Baltimore region in 20 years.

In a survey of five other school systems -- Anne Arundel, Howard, Harford and Baltimore counties and Baltimore City -- only a Howard County school official could recall having suspended students that young.

In 1971, a 5-year-old Howard County student was suspended from school "for being intoxicated," said Patti Vierkant, public information officer.

"The only reason we did that is that it was the only way to get the parent in" for talks with school officials, Ms. Vierkant said.