Pubdate: Wed, 23 Jan 2008
Source: Peoria Journal Star (IL)
Copyright: 2008sPeoria Journal Star
Contact:  http://pjstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/338
Note: Does not publish letters from outside our circulation area.
Author: Steve Stein
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)

MORTON WEIGHS NEW SCHOOL DRUG TESTING POLICY

School Board Expected To Vote On Issue At Feb. 5 Meeting

MORTON - Morton High School students involved in extracurricular 
activities could be subject to random drug testing beginning next school year.

District 709 Superintendent Roger Kilpatrick unveiled a drug testing 
policy written by district and high school administrators at a School 
Board meeting Tuesday. Board members are expected to vote on the 
policy at their Feb. 5 meeting.

The policy mirrors one that has been in effect at East Peoria 
Community High School since the beginning of the 2006-07 school year.

Morton's policy calls for random urine testing of about 10 students 
per week throughout the school year at an annual cost of about 
$15,000. Testing would be done by the Tazwood Mental Health Center. 
Students could be tested throughout their four years in high school. 
If they declined, they'd have to sit out extracurricular activities 
for one year.

Police would not be notified of a positive test, but a student would 
be subject to the penalties imposed in the appropriate athletic or 
activity code. Help would be made available, with parents bearing the 
brunt of the financial obligation.

About 600 students, about two-thirds of the high school's enrollment, 
are currently involved in extracurricular activities.

Kilpatrick emphasized that drug testing is being brought forward to 
help students.

"We feel testing would give a student an opportunity to say 'no' and 
an avenue for intervention if it's needed," he said. "It's also 
important that we prepare our students for the work world. Many 
employers require a drug test for future employees."

The policy generated only positive comments from School Board members.

"This could help the kid on the fence who values being on the speech 
team, playing basketball or running track," said Doug Riddle.

"We could change the course of someone's life. How can you put a 
price tag on that?" asked Joyce Kaiser.

John Applen said it's important that a positive test is kept in 
context. "A positive test doesn't mean that the administration, staff 
or parents have failed," he said. "It just means a student has gotten 
sidetracked. It happens."

District 709 administrators and School Board members have been 
discussing drug testing since the late 1990s, but they've been 
hesitant to implement it because of the complexities involved.

Board member Nancy Overcash said now that the administration is 
confident that many of the questions have been answered, it's time 
for the School Board to take action.

Kilpatrick said drug testing could be done at Morton Junior High 
School after the high school testing is up and running.

Morton High School Principal Dennis Johnson and Athletic Director 
Greg Pritchard have done extensive research on drug testing policies, 
including getting an eyewitness look at East Peoria's testing.

"Watching the testing at East Peoria sold us on the process," Pritchard said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom