Education

Stockbridge Series: a small town school district ensuring educational opportunity

Stockbridge is a village similar to many places around the state. The economy is tough, industry has gone, and the school system is one of few ways kids from the town can get a leg up. This is an inside look into this small town school district trying to make sure their kids have educational opportunity, even in the face of shrinking state aid and a tough economy. In addition to Sarah's reports, the Stockbridge project has moving and interesting radio stories, audio diaries, and photography from youth journalists at Stockbridge High School.

Stockbridge Youth Journalists: Rumor has it Stockbridge has a drug problem

Michigan Public

Published February 10, 2013 at 8:24 PM EST

I have been living in Stockbridge all my life, going to Stockbridge schools. In my time in Stockbridge I have not seen anyone use drugs.

I have heard a few people talk about using drugs, but just a few. This gets me bewildered when kids outside of the Stockbridge district call us meth-heads and druggies.

I’m not saying nobody in Stockbridge schools uses drugs, but we’re not living in the middle of a Breaking Bad episode.

Stockbridge Police Chief Johnny Torres told me there have been only seven controlled substances violations in town this year. Students have all kinds of different ideas about drug use in Stockbridge.

Alex Noffsinger, a junior, says, "Overall I don't think Stockbridge has a drug problem, there is a small group of students who use drugs, it's widely known."

Sophomore Sailor Hendricks might disagree, saying "a lot of people do smoke weed." But Hendricks didn't go so far as to say he thought Stockbridge has a drug problem.

The problem seems exaggerated to me. Stockbridge is just a normal school. We’ve got problems just like any other school, but it’s time to stop pushing the idea that we’re all stoned.