Jmst public schoolsJamestown (CSi) The Jamestown Public School Board Monday heard from Jamestown High School Principal, and Jamestown North Alternate Program Director, John Conway, who said the Juvenile Drug Court is having a positive effect on youth.

Conway reported on Jamestown North’s 3-year partnership with the juvenile drug court program at the Jamestown Public School Board saying the juvenile rehabilitation program for students ages 14 to 17 in Stutsman and Barnes counties has been largely a success for youth participants who have learned the tools to fight chemical dependency and lower the risk of using again or committing more crimes.

Jamestown Public Schools Superintendent Robert Lech said juvenile drug court is the final option for the student, and the last chance for a community-based solution. If the student succeeds then the charges can be dismissed from his or her criminal record, and if he or she fails it could result in being in detention with the North Dakota Division of Juvenile Services.

In the superintendent’s report, Lech said the board should consider third-party consultants to participate in the community focus groups being formed to review and assess the $19 million referendum to expand and improve elementary schools that failed in a September special election.

Professional groups could assist in structuring the process of assessing the referendum so that the focus groups’ recommendations could aid the board in moving forward, Lech said. The secondary benefit would be to draft a facilities plan into a long-term capital projects plan, he said.

The meeting was recorded by CSi 10 THE REPLAY CHANNEL, with showings starting Tuesday.