Pubdate: Wed, 26 Jul 2006 Source: Journal-Enterprise, The (KY) Copyright: 2006 The Journal-Enterprise, Inc. Contact: http://www.journalenterprise.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4218 Author: Dennis Beard Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) WEBSTER SCHOOL BOARD ADOPTS DRUG POLICY Despite some concern among Webster County Board of Education members regarding the protection of confidentiality for those who might test positive for drugs, members at their meeting Thursday night, July 20, approved on a 4-0 vote a new policy that includes mandatory random drug testing for employees, students who participate in extracurricular activities, drive a personal vehicle on school property, or students who operate heavy machinery in the Area Technology Center's workshops. Board member Tim McCormick expressed concern that the superintendent might have to tell certain staff members if a student tests positive for drug use. "My concern is the order in which it goes down the line," McCormick said during the meeting. "I understand (Kemp) is the first one (to be informed). Where does it go next? Is there a procedure?" Nance and Kemp responded by saying the parent and student involved would be the only ones informed. "You're saying if there's a positive (test result), nobody will be involved except you and the parent?" McCormick asked Kemp. "The parent and I are the only two who are even included," Kemp answered. "How can you not include your building administrator?" McCormick asked. "The only time the building administrator would be included... would be if there had been a positive test of a student involved in an extracurricular activity," Kemp said. "That concerns me," McCormick said. "Well, Tim, that's a weakness of this," Kemp said, adding that other schools are struggling with the same issue. After the meeting, McCormick told The J-E "if the building administrator (where the student attends) doesn't need to know, then that administrator shouldn't be told." "My main concern is the confidentiality," McCormick said. Board attorney Amelia Zachary also expressed concern about language within the policy that could create difficulities for the board to dismiss staff charged with manufacturing illegal substances such as methamphetamine. Specifically, Zachary said, the policy prohibits illegal drugs "in the workplace," but not elsewhere. "My concern is that if someone gets charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, and they're teaching our children or taking care of our children everyday, it takes two years to go through the court system before there's any type of conviction," Zachary said. "You all may not want them there, but you may have written your policy in such a way that it doesn't give you the authority to get rid of the (staff member)." She recommended the board remove the language that limits when action for drug manufacturing or use could be taken to school property. Nance asked the board to adopt the policy as is, and make additional changes as needed later on. "What I don't want to do is adopt the policy and then all of a sudden have to defend it in court every day," he said. He also expressed concern about how much time has already been spent preparing the policy. "This is a place to start," board member E Carolyn Tucker agreed. The board then approved the policy as proposed. Kemp later told The J-E the main goal of the policy is to discourage the use of illegal substances among students. "We're trying to provide individuals with an opportunity to say no," Kemp said, referring to the possibility of peer pressure. He said the policy is also important to help students who do test positive "to get help." Maintaining confidentiality is also a top concern, he added. When asked how confidentiality could be maintained if a student who tests positive for drug use isn't allowed to participate in sports or to use heavy machinery in one of the ATC workshops, Kemp said the drug policy isn't the only district policy that affects student participation in extracurricular activities. At its meeting, the Webster County school board also defeated a proposal to honor a maximum of 10 years of work experience in related fields when considering starting salaries for new hires for maintenance and technology personnel only. At issue is the varying amount of pay district staff members earn based on their work experience not directly related to school work. An example might be an "over-the-road" truck driver who is hired to drive a school bus. It doesn't affect new hires who have worked for a previous school system. McCormick, who made the motion, said he thinks maintenance, and technology, after assistant superintendent Rachel Yarbrough pointed out a need to include that category, are the only areas where the policy matters. Board members have previously debated what the maximum number of years allowed to determine credit should be. Currently the board has a "moratorium" on approving pay based on previous work experience in a related field. Yarbrough said some the district have interviewed have turned down job offers because of the current experience-based pay freeze. After the motion failed to pass, Nance asked for a motion based on a maximum of five years experience, but no one made the motion. Tucker then asked Kemp to place the item on a future agenda, "possibly at a board retreat." Prior to the vote, discussion of the issue broadened into a greater need to review the entire salary scale. Board members have consistently expressed a desire to pay higher salaries, but cite a lack of adequate funds to do so. In other business, the Webster County Board of Education: heard a presentation from district architect Tim Townsend of Townsend and Associates regarding several ongoing district construction projects; approved a list of "consent items," including 2006-2007 contracts with Methodist Home Hospital Health Agency and Evansville Association for the Blind, school activity reports for the district's five facilities, and budget amendments; heard a report from Kemp regarding ongoing work at Webster County High School and other school concerns, but took no action on the report. tabled discussion of tuition assistance for "professional development;" and, reviewed a list of personnel changes, including the employment of Shelby Dunville, Shayne Mercer, Julio Sanchez, Mendi Wyatt, Jeff Yates, Tina Eastwood, and Phyllis Moore, the resignation of Jenny Borum, and a change in assignment for Dennis Parrish. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D