Pubdate: Sat, 16 Sep 2006
Source: Ledger-Enquirer (GA)
Copyright: 2006 Ledger-Enquirer
Contact:  http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/enquirer/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/237
Author: Harry Franklin, State Editor

HARRIS REJECTS MANDATORY DRUG TESTS

But Board Still Supports Drug Tests In Some Form

A mandatory random drug-testing program for students in  grades 7-12 
who participate in extracurricular  activities or have Harris County 
High School parking  permits has been rejected by the Harris County 
School  Board.

Despite the vote against the mandatory program during  its Thursday 
night meeting, the board members indicated  unanimous support for 
some type of drug-testing policy  and asked Superintendent Susan 
Andrews to research  voluntary programs. Andrews said Friday she 
expects to bring information to the board in December or 
January  about school districts with voluntary drug-testing  policies.

Board member Jack Stewart moved for approval of the  proposed policy 
to bring it up for a vote. Voting for  the policy were board members 
Steve Goodnoe and Charles  Ragsdale; voting against were Stewart, 
board Chair  Diane Sandifer, La Trenda Tyler, Will Cliatt and Karen Hopkins.

The Harris County High School Council brought the  proposal for drug 
testing to the school board in  response to surveys conducted at the 
school in which  students, teachers and parents acknowledged that 
student drug use was a concern to them, Andrews said.

"When we did a Connect Ed telephone survey, 1,067 said  they agreed 
with the proposed random drug-testing  policy and 311 said no," Andrews said.

The Auburn and Opelika school systems have voluntary  drug-testing 
programs as part of a federal grant  research project. Andrews said 
school officials have  talked with them. Also, the Williamsburg-James 
City  County Public Schools in Virginia has a program.  Upson-Lee 
County Schools in Upson County, Ga. has a  mandatory drug-testing program.

Voluntary programs may include those in which parents  sign for their 
children to be drug tested, or students  agree to be tested.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine