Pubdate: Mon, 21 Aug 2000
Source: Greenville News (SC)
Copyright: 2000 The Greenville News
Contact:  PO Box 1688 South Main Street, Greenville, South Carolina 29602
Website: http://greenvillenews.com/index.htm
Author: April E. Moorefield

FAIR TO SEEK RANDOM TEACHER DRUG TESTING

A state senator from Greenville County said he plans to push legislation to 
randomly test teachers for illegal drugs and to require more stringent 
background checks on all public school workers.

Critics say such tests would be an insult to the teaching profession and 
wouldn't accomplish much.

"Some glaring inequities exist right now, and some are inexcusable," said 
Republican Sen. Mike Fair of Greenville, who plans to sponsor the 
legislation in January when the General Assembly reconvenes. "We need to 
reach beyond the state's borders when we conduct background checks on all 
employees, not just teachers.

"And testing for illicit drugs is a no-brainer. The public deserves to know 
its teachers are drug-free."

Nationally, the number of children being sexually exploited or abused in 
public schools is climbing, figures show. In reaction, officials across the 
country are putting together legislation that strengthens criminal 
background checks on all public school personnel who have unsupervised 
access to children. More than 30 states have laws in place requiring or 
allowing school districts to conduct background checks.

Locally, bus drivers are the only public school employees who are tested 
for illegal drug use.

But state law does requires all teachers, principals and superintendents to 
undergo a one-time criminal background check from a national database when 
they receive state certification. Other public school employees -- like 
teacher aides and custodians -- face at most a statewide criminal records 
check. Each school district has the option of deciding whether that is 
done, said Jim Foster, spokesman for the state Department of Education.

Greenville County does conduct such checks, said Oby Lyles, a spokesman for 
the state's largest school district.

Where stringent background checks have been implemented, they have proven 
successful, officials say. For instance, recent searches of all school 
personnel in Memphis, Tenn., city schools uncovered 74 employees with 
felony convictions, including rape and child abuse.

Chaundra Stewart of Greenville said she worries constantly about the safety 
of her granddaughter, who started first grade this year at Duncan Chapel 
Elementary. She believes most teachers would welcome anything that 
ultimately makes schools safer.

"If some loophole exists that could allow a child molester or a drug addict 
to be in the classroom next door, I think everyone at the school would want 
to close it," Stewart said. "The bottom line is I want my granddaughter to 
be safe."

Opponents of drug testing for teachers and tougher background checks of 
school employees say Fair is pushing the envelope too far.

"I can certainly understand rigid background checks when hiring new 
teachers, but we don't need to sleep in their bedroom at night," said Sen. 
Ralph Anderson, D-Greenville. "There is a shortage of teachers already. We 
don't want to take away the dignity of the profession."

The issue of random drug testing for teachers has never come before the 
U.S. Supreme Court. But the justices have upheld such screenings for public 
safety workers and students involved in extra-curricular activities.

An American Civil Liberties Union board member said the civil rights 
organization doesn't oppose testing someone who appears to be under the 
influence on the job.

"Beyond that, it is our opinion there is just no need," said Rock Wise of 
Greenwood. "Drug testing is designed to make the public feel like something 
is being done when its actual effectiveness isn't that great at all."
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