Pubdate: Tue,  6 Jan 2004
Source: Bristol Herald Courier (VA)
Copyright: 2004 Bristol Herald Courier
Contact: http://www.bristolnews.com/contact.html
Website: http://www.bristolnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1211

BRISTOL VIRGINIA SCHOOL BOARD DELAYS VOTE ON DRUG, ALCOHOL POLICY

BRISTOL, Va. - After more than two-and-a-half hours of nearly line-by-line
discussion, the School Board postponed a vote Monday night on its
comprehensive drug and alcohol policy.

"I don't think we've gotten to a point where we feel comfortable about it,
and we're not ready to (vote on it) yet," said Chairman John Kieffer. "We
want to adopt it as a package."

Led by board member Jaymie Derden, the board focused less on the major
issues and more on details about its implementation.

"The discussion tonight has been productive in that (board members) have
brought up questions," Kieffer said, adding that it's better for questions
to arise during the adoption phase of the policy rather than the
implementation and enforcement period. "Deciding on the details is
difficult. You can never discuss this too much. There's too much at stake."

Amendements made Monday night included eliminating the telephone tips line
for students and community members to report alcohol or drug activity,
defining who exactly will be subject to random drug testing and omitting and
rephrasing wording and definitions within the policy.

Key points of the policy such as mandatory drug testing for students
involved in extracurricular activities, establishing a counseling program
for students involved with drugs and starting parental and student awareness
programs remained.

Board members emphasized that they wanted to talk to other school systems as
well as the School Board's attorney, Joe Lyle, to clarify issues and to
ensure the policy's legality.

Kieffer said the policy most likely will be considered at the first meeting
in February.
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