Pubdate: Sat, 17 Aug 2002
Source: Idaho Statesman, The (ID)
Copyright: 2002 The Idaho Statesman
Contact:  http://www.idahostatesman.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/204

SCHOOL OFFICIALS AGREE TO RANDOM DRUG TESTS

TWIN FALLS - Administrators in the Twin Falls School District have agreed 
to random drug testing.

At the district's first meeting of the school year Wednesday, the 
principals themselves initiated the concept, Superintendent Terrell Donicht 
said.

The move comes in the wake of the arrest and resignation of Mary Lee 
Roberts, former principal of Bickel Elementary School, who pleaded guilty 
this past week to a charge of possession of a controlled substance.

Roberts was suspected of mailing herself a pound of marijuana from a Texas 
post office.

Donicht said other principals were upset at the negative light cast upon 
the district and its employees.

"The motivation is to show to the public that nothing is going on here; we 
are models for your children," Donicht said.

There were no objections to the suggestion, he said.

"I was kind of surprised they jumped on the issue the way they did because 
frankly, I don't think it's necessary," Donicht said. "They're aware that 
they don't have to do this."

Donicht said he wants to speak to other district employees, teachers and 
classified staff to see if they would also like to participate.

A new policy of random drug tests for student athletes is already slated to 
begin this school year.
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MAP posted-by: Alex