Comment: "What is a school district supposed to do? "

Maybe call the Mother and discuss their concerns with her and not interrogate and threaten an 11 year old over a beverage his mother put in his lunch, that would be a good place to start.

"tell me why this is an overstepping?"

Assuming the Mother's story is true (I think she's telling the truth)

They (the VP AND a uniformed police officer) interrogated a minor (11 year old boy) WITHOUT his parent present or her knowledge- the child was told it was illegal for him to have the drink (not true, maybe aganist school rules but certainly not illegal)and he claims the officer tried to enroll him in AA for kids. There is no way in hell I want my children (12 & 13)interrogated by a police officer without me and/or a lawyer present (even though it's perfectly legal). I urge every parent to train their children to not submit to questioning until Mom and/or Dad are present (the child must request their parent and questioning must stop until the parent is there). Under Zero Tolerance, this kid could've gotten into serious trouble over a vitamin drink that was perfectly legal for him to have outside the building.

Here's the Mom's story:
http://freshandfreeinoc.com/2012/10/12/kombucha-violates-the...

I recently saw a documentary called The War on Kids (on Netflix streaming) and it was a real eye opener. I don't have children in public school but I was shocked at how these children are treated.

War on Kids
http://www.thewaronkids.com/

From the Wiki
"The film begins by studying the Zero Tolerance policies in public schools in the 1990s, which were designed to eradicate drugs and weapons at schools. By arbitrary application of this policy via unchecked authority, soon nail clippers, key chains, and aspirin were considered dangerous and violations of the rules. This policy, combined with Columbine-inspired fear, has resulted in kindergartners being suspended for using pointed fingers as guns in games of cops and robbers and students being suspended for having Midol and Alka-Seltzer. This policy has turned schools into Kafka-esque nightmares, absurd and demoralizing. Increasingly, issues once dealt with by the guidance counselor or a trip to the principal’s office are now handled by handcuffs and tasers in the hands of police.[1]

Students are denied basic constitutional rights. They can be searched, drug-tested, forced to incriminate themselves, and capriciously punished. Surveillance cameras, locker searches, and metal detectors are shown to be commonplace. Courts routinely uphold the school’s right to do whatever they choose, creating an atmosphere of fear and loathing, anger and despair. The physical structure of these institutions are themselves oppressive, resembling prisons in many ways, yet even more dreary"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_War_on_Kids