Pubdate: Fri, 20 Jul 2007 Source: Salem Times-Commoner (IL) Copyright: 2007 Salem Times-Commoner Contact: http://www.salem-tc.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4215 Author: Brandi Spelbring, Staff Writer Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) DRUG TESTING POLICY BEING DISCUSSED BY SALEM COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL BOARD More Research Needed Before Enacting Random Testing Salem Community High School (SCHS) Superintendent Barb Smith brought a potentially controversial matter to the SCHS school board on Tuesday for board discussion and approval, regarding a policy change. Recently, the school has been reorganizing their policies according to the Illinois Association of School Boards' policies. Smith told the board when she got to policy 7.240, conduct code for participation in extra-curricular activities, she realized she should seek the sanction of the board. The policy establishes random alcohol and drug testing for all students involved in extra-curricular activities. The policy would not necessarily require SCHS to start testing, it would merely give them the option to test students. According to Principal Brad Deterring, two other schools in the Apollo Conference have policies regarding testing, Robinson and Paris. Deterring also mentioned Centralia, Effingham, and Fairfield also have drug and alcohol testing policies. Although Effingham has a policy which would allow them to test, they haven't yet begun to test any students under the policy. Deterring said, "They [Effingham High School] have a wait-and-see attitude about the policy right now. They just recovered from a five year legal battle and I think they are being cautious." Deterring mentioned legal issues have surrounded the schools that have begun testing. Fairfield reportedly got into some trouble because they singled out only athletes for testing, rather than all extra-curricular participants, creating an atmosphere of discrimination. He also mentioned some contentious attitudes in Paris regarding the testing, which parents were opposed to when many basketball team members were punished. Deterring noted the testing was not challenged there, but rather the athletic codes and the punishments. The cost of random testing was also discussed by the board. Robert Phillips, board member, mentioned Centralia has students tested at the hospital, which costs around $70 per test. But, if the student is found positive, they are responsible for the cost of the testing. Also, Phillips noted most of the student body is "put in the hat" for random tests because Centralia tests all students who choose to drive to school, as driving to school and parking on school grounds are privileges, and are considered extra-curricular in nature. Thus, giving them the authority to test most of the students in the high school. "We need to do plenty of research to avoid these problems. We will get the policy in next year, not this year. We need to fully research this before we set a policy," said Eric Bandy, board president. The board fears lawsuits will pop up if they move too quickly with the policy before doing some extensive research. Smith and the board agreed that waiting until the 2008-2009 school year would be the best move, after all the research had been done, and it also gave students and parents a year to digest such a big move. Smith stated, "We do not and never have had a testing policy. It will be a big change for parents and students." She also explained that she did not think drug use was a problem with SCHS students, but rather the policy would be precautionary. "This policy was originally set up for steroids, which trickled down from professional sports. But it probably prevents students from smoking dope and drinking if they know they may get kicked off the team," said Smith. - --- MAP posted-by: Steve Heath