The issue regarding school-sanctioned transportation to and from the event was brought to light during a March 15 school board meeting by a group of concerned Los Gatos High mothers. The item was then placed on the Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District's April 19 board meeting agenda for discussion and consideration.

While parents had done some research, district office staff had conducted its own research on the issue. Surrounding high school districts—including Campbell, Mountain View, Los Altos, Palo Alto, Santa Clara and Fremont—do not have school board policies about transportation to proms.

Saratoga High's prom will be held at the same San Francisco hotel this year, and the school is requiring students to take mandatory busing. For Los Gatos High, school administrators are strongly recommending busing to the event. Parents of students not wishing to take the bus must submit a signed waiver form, said Superintendent Cindy Ranii.

After receiving direction of school board members, Ranii will draft a policy that would apply to next year's prom, to be discussed at the next school board meeting. The policy is expected to indicate that Los Gatos or Saratoga school proms held outside of the county will require mandatory busing.

Board president Phil Nielsen said he didn't see a difference whether the event was held inside or outside of the county, since accidents can happen in either place.

"It wouldn't make any difference. I think there ought to be transportation period, whether it's in Gilroy or San Francisco or Hollister or San Jose," he said.

Ranii added that any kind of restrictions don't necessarily solve the deeper drinking- and drug-related problems that have taken place before and after proms.

"A policy isn't going to solve all those things," she said.

The school board's next meeting is May 3 at 6:30 p.m. at Saratoga High School.