Pubdate: Tue, 10 Jun 2003
Source: Oklahoman, The (OK)
Copyright: 2003 The Oklahoma Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.oklahoman.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/318
Author: Leslie Berger, Staff Writer
Bookmarks: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)
http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)
http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Tecumseh

TECUMSEH VOTES TO CONTINUE SCHOOL DRUG TESTS

TECUMSEH -- School board members on Monday voted 3-1 to leave the
district's drug testing policy intact, almost one year after a U.S.
Supreme Court decision over the policy went in the school's favor.
Under the policy, middle and high school students participating in
extracurricular activities will be tested at random during each month
of the school year.

The policy allows for every student in extracurricular activities to
be tested at the beginning of the school year. Last year, the board
voted against administering the initial tests because of time and
budget constraints.

The district has performed student drug tests during the last five
years, breaking occasionally while the court case was under way.

Last year, about 240 students were tested during the school year.
Superintendent Tom Wilsie said he expects about the same number of
students to submit to drug tests during the 2003-04 school year.

Wilsie said he feels the tests have been effective.

"I think from the very beginning, we've felt like it offers our
students an opportunity to say no to (drug) pressures because they
want to participate," he said. "It's also beneficial to parents in
providing them with early knowledge."

Students who refuse to test will not be allowed to participate in any
sports or extra activities for the remainder of the school year.

Students who fail a test for the first time will undergo counseling
for one month and then be submitted to another test. Students who fail
twice will be suspended from extracurricular involvement for two
weeks. Students who fail a third time will be banned from extra
activities for one semester.

Supreme Court justices voted 5-4 June 27 to uphold Tecumseh Schools'
policy.

The policy was challenged by a Tecumseh student active in the band,
choir and academic team. The American Civil Liberties Union aided in
the challenge.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake