Pubdate: Sun, 07 Aug 2005
Source: Clarion-Ledger, The (MS)
70361
Copyright: 2005 The Clarion-Ledger
Contact:  http://www.clarionledger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/805

AMITE BOARD AMENDS SCHOOL DRUG-TEST POLICY

The Amite County School Board has amended a student drug-testing policy to
require the mandatory testing of students who receive out-of-school
suspension or who have been expelled.

The change applies to students in 7th through 12th grade who are suspended
or expelled from school for more than 10 days.

In June, the school board adopted a drug policy subjecting students in
grades 7 through 12 who participate in extracurricular activities to drug
testing. Football players underwent drug tests on Monday during their
physicals.

"This is a protection for them, not us. It's not for all students. We can't
afford to have all the students tested," said Superintendent Charles
Kirkfield. "They don't have to take a drug test. They can refuse the test --
but then they'd have to come before the board."
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MAP posted-by: Josh