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