Pubdate: Tue, 22 Oct 2002
Source: Tri-Valley Herald (CA)
Website: http://www.trivalleyherald.com/
Address: P.O Box 10367, Pleasanton, CA 94588-0367
Contact:  2002 MediaNews Group, Inc. and ANG Newspapers
Fax: (925) 416-4850

BOARD AIRS SECOND DRAFT OF DRUG POLICY

Dublin District Plans Two Public Hearings On Plan To Test Students

DUBLIN -- The Dublin School Board tonight will weigh in on the second draft 
of a proposed drug-testing policy for students involved in extra-curricular 
activities.

The revised draft provides a more detailed look at how the policy would be 
put into effect in the schools.

If approved, the district would test a random group of students in the 
sixth through 12th grades for alcohol and other controlled substances, such 
as marijuana, through a urinalysis.

If the test is positive, a second test will be done to confirm the 
original. Parents or guardians will be notified only if the test is 
confirmed and will be given an opportunity to challenge the result.

According to the policy, students will who fail the tests would be given 
the option to participate in a substance-abuse prevention program and 
undergo follow-up testing or be suspended from extra-curricular activities 
for eight weeks or the remainder of the semester.

The school district is planning public hearings about the proposed policy 
so community members can provide comments before it is considered for final 
approval by the trustees.

In other business, trustees will hear about a joint effort between Wells 
Middle School and the city to provide after-school programs for students, 
revisions to the Dublin High School home economics curriculum and results 
of the California Healthy Kids survey administered in the spring.

In addition, the school district is seeking public comment at two upcoming 
forums regarding future facilities needs.

Officials said community members are encouraged to attend one or both of 
the upcoming hearings at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Dublin High School library, 
8151 Village Parkway, or 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29, in the Dougherty 
Elementary School multipurpose room, 5301 Hibernia Drive.

District staff members will provide enrollment projections for the next 15 
to 20 years and present its current plan to accommodate the growing student 
population.

The Dublin School Board meets at 7 p.m. today in the district office board 
room, 7471 Larkdale Ave.
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