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PISD TO HOLD DRUG TESTING POLICY FORUM

A community forum to discuss a proposed Paris Independent School District drug testing policy is scheduled at 6:30 p.m.  Monday in the Paris High School auditorium. 

Participants are to be furnished the proposed policy as well as a handout of frequently asked drug testing questions, according to Superintendent Paul Trull. 

Representatives from a drug testing company as well as a neighboring school district with a policy in place are to join school administrators and trustees in addressing concerns and reviewing the proposed policy. 

Cost to the district is anticipated at about $20,000 yearly.  Students or parents will be required to pay for all mandatory retesting after any positive test. 

Only students who participate in school-sponsored extracurricular activities are subject to testing, according to school officials. 

High school students would be scheduled for testing prior to participating in an activity while students in grades seven and eight are to be placed in a pool for random testing.  After an initial test, high school students are subject to random tests with students selected by a computer. 

Each student is to be assigned an identification number to assure privacy.  Only a designated school contact is to know student identification numbers, according to the proposed policy. 

If a test is positive, the school contact, parent, student and an outside counselor are to be notified and on a second positive test the student's sponsor or coach is to be notified. 

The Paris ISD Alcohol Misuse and Controlled Substance Abuse designated administrator ( school contact ) must have completed alcohol misuse and controlled substance abuse awareness training as required by the U.S.  Department of Transportation. 

Results are to be kept confidential and will not become a part of a student's permanent record nor be used in any disciplinary measure other than suspension from extracurricular activities. 

Substances tested for include those that are illegal to buy, possess, use, sell or distribute under state or federal law including alcohol and prescription drugs. 

More specifically, the district plans to test for amphetamines, cocaine and marijuana, metabolics, opium and phencyclidine. 

All positive tests will be confirmed by a second test.  If found positive, notification is to be made to parents, and the designated administrator; a required conference is scheduled; the student is referred for substance abuse counseling and is retested with each random testing group for one calendar year or for two negative tests. 

A second positive test results in suspension from extracurricular activities for 30 calendar days with a parent conference and referral to drug abuse counseling as well as retesting at the end of the suspension period and before rejoining extracurricular activities. 

A third positive tests results in suspension from extracurricular activities for one calendar year along with a parent conference and continued referral to drug abuse counseling.