Pubdate: Mon, 20 Jun 2005
Source: New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung (TX)
Copyright: 2005 Herald-Zeitung
Contact:  http://www.herald-zeitung.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3053
Author: Melissa Johnson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States)

NB TRUSTEES TO CONSIDER RAISES, DRUG TESTING

The trustees will return to the issue of salary increases, concerns at
New Braunfels Middle School and student drug testing during a regular
meeting Monday.

The board will consider approval of salary increases, stipends and
extra days for district staff for the 2005-06 school year. When the
trustees adopted a budget last month, salaries increases were approved
at 3 percent. However, the board and audience members debated whether
the increase would be enough to retain qualified teachers.

Board President Jorge Maldonado said amendments to the budget are
possible as the issue is still up for discussion.

Also on the agenda is the first reading of local policy concerning
NBISD students drug testing. The policy calls for random drug testing
of students in grades 7 through 12 who participate in school sponsored
extracurricular activities or obtain a high school parking permit.
Parents may also voluntarily enroll their children in the drug-testing
program.

"The purpose of the policy is to recognize that there may be problems
and to deter drug use," Maldonado said. "If it keeps only one
student from getting involved with drugs then that in and of itself
has accomplished what we set out to do."

Disciplinary actions for students who test positive for alcohol or
illegal drugs can include suspension from practices, competitions and
parking privileges. The severity and duration of the suspensions
increases with each offense.

Maldonado said parent support for the policy has been overwhelmingly
positive. The district intends to have the policy in place by the
first day of the 2005-06 school year.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin