Pubdate: Sun, 26 Mar 2006
Source: Duluth News-Tribune (MN)
Copyright: 2006 Duluth News-Tribune
Contact:  http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/553
Author: Maria Lockwood
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States)

SUPERIOR SCHOOLS CONSIDER DRUG TESTING

EDUCATION: Those who favor randomly testing students say it would help
change the culture at Superior High School.

The Superior school district is poised to fight the war on drugs with
a new policy that would include random drug testing at Superior High
School.

Student reaction has been mixed.

"I'm totally against it," said SHS sophomore Kamron Pittman. "I do
believe it's an invasion of privacy."

Caitlin Keute, a freshman, said she was not aware of any drugs at the
school, "but I think it will help improve the atmosphere."

Jozie Nummi, a sophomore, said drug and alcohol abuse overshadows all
the other successes of the school.

"It needs to be taken care of," she said.

Since last spring, the Superior School Board has been searching for a
better way to curb student use of drugs and alcohol. At the time, 26
SHS students had been put on drug-related pre-expulsion contracts
during the 2004-05 school year. Board member Richard Van Rossem pushed
for a zero-tolerance policy.

"We had some disagreement as far has how things should be handled," he
said.

A committee composed of parents as well as members of the
administration, community and School Board was assembled to address
the issue.

The committee looked at how other districts are tackling their drug
problems and were impressed with the Kimberly area school district
near Appleton, Wis. It instituted a policy that included random drug
testing about five years ago.

"We test 10 students a week," said Mel Lightner, superintendent of the
Kimberly school district. "It gives students another reason to say
'No.' "

It has completely changed the culture in Kimberly, said Jay Mitchell,
Superior school superintendent.

"My son got tested two months ago," Lightner said. "He said, 'Hey Dad,
I was tested today.' It was no big thing. It's just part of our culture."

Superior is considering a policy similar to Kimberly's.

Students who are signed up for extracurricular or co-curricular
activities would automatically have their names put in the
drug-testing pool. So would students who purchase parking permits for
the school lot.

Because activities and parking are privileges, the U.S. Supreme Court
ruled that schools can mandate drug testing.

"But that's not what it's all about," Mitchell said. "It's about
changing culture and climate."

Other students could volunteer to put their names in the pool, or
their parents could volunteer them. Students in this voluntary pool
would be eligible for special trips and activities.

Once student names are in the pool, they would remain
there.

In addition, said Mitchell and Van Rossem, board members,
administrators and teachers would be encouraged to put their names
into the pool for testing.

"I believe adults should lead by example," Van Rossem
said.

The policy has other components. Mitchell said the school would move
health class back into the high school -- four and a half weeks each
for freshmen and sophomores -- and step up alcohol and other drug
abuse services.

Frank Dumonsau, who has two sons at SHS, said he supports the idea of
random drug testing.

"It's not meant to entrap or catch," he said. "It's designed so
students won't be tempted."
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin