Pubdate: Wed, 03 Mar 2004 Source: Huntsville Times (AL) Copyright: 2004 The Huntsville Times Contact: http://www.htimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/730 Author: Challen Stephens Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing) SCHOOL EMPLOYEE DRUG TESTS ON AGENDA Idea Surfaces In Wake Of Lee High Principal's Arrest The Huntsville school board plans to debate the pros and cons of testing all employees for illegal drugs. The idea surfaced in the aftermath of the arrest of Dr. Harry Smith, the former principal of Lee High School. On Feb. 12, Smith resigned two hours after the sheriff's Vice and Narcotics Unit arrested him for possession of crack cocaine. He is scheduled to appear in court May 5. At Thursday's work session, the five board members are expected to review the merits and drawbacks associated with such options as testing all current employees, testing only new hires or leaving the policy as is. While Huntsville schools do not randomly test students, said board President David Blair, school officials can require a test for an employee who is suspected of drug abuse. "It is at the discretion of the superintendent," he said. "My personal opinion is, it's going to be something along the lines of drug-testing for people coming into the system, for new hires," said Blair. After the arrest, school officials met with parents at Lee. Some asked why employees aren't tested for drugs. "In those discussions with the community," said Blair, "it came out that the community wants some kind of drug-testing program in place for Huntsville schools." No one, from parents to teachers to Superintendent Ann Roy Moore, reported any behavior by Smith that would have indicated illegal drug use. In fact, after the arrest, many parents and students credited Smith with improving discipline and academics at Lee. The work session will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Merts Center on White Street. The board is not expected to vote on a possible drug-testing policy at that time. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom