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LR SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES DRUG TESTING POLICY, NEW START TIMES

The Logan-Rogersville Board of Education adopted two much-debated policies June 18, during their regular meeting.

Random drug testing and new school start times were approved, though not without discussion.

"I think we're taking valuable education dollars out of the classroom," said board member Lisa Spragg, following a second reading of the random drug testing policy by Superintendent Allan Markley.

The policy, which would allow for random drug and alcohol testing of any student involved in an extra-curricular or co-curricular activity ( see box for definitions ), or who drives to school.

Markley said that would affect approximately 400 of the high school's 650 students, and about 250 students at the middle school.  A section of the policy involving pre-screening of everyone in the pool was removed before the policy was passed.

Twenty students a month will be tested for marijuana, cocaine and opiates, which would include prescription medicines under the new policy.

Markley said the district had 24 drug-related suspensions during the 2007-08 school year, up from 21 in 2006-07, primarily from prescription drugs.

Spragg raised a concern that students involved in co-curricular activities would have their grade affected by their inability to participate outside the classroom.

Jerry Harmiston, the district's attorney, said the policy made allowances for those students to do additional in-class work to make up for out-of-class participation.

Board member J.D.  Fielden said he wanted to be able to review the policy annually to allow for any adjustments that might need to be made.

"I think we need to do what our administrators and community asked us to," said board member Kyle Jessen, referencing a survey of LR district patrons.

Fielden made a motion to approve the amended policy with review to take place annually, "if not sooner." Jessen seconded the motion, which was approved 5-2 with Spragg and Colleen Stone voting against it.

A motion to modify the start and end times at each school building was made by Fielden, seconded by Jessen and unanimously approved by the board.

Markley, making presentations at his final board meeting before leaving for Raytown, said the change in times ( see box ) would reduce bus trip time and get primary students off busses with high school students.

One issue of concern was what to with non-bus riding younger children who had to be dropped off at school early or who could not be picked up until later.

Markley said the district offers day care with tutoring for a $1 a day, before and after school.

"We think, over time, people will adjust to it," he said.

Assistant Superintendent Gary Hogue said fuel costs would increase but there would be lower personnel costs.  The district ran 23 busses last year; under the new school start time schedule, busses would get twice the usage with 12 busses used at the middle school and high school, and 15 busses used for the primary and upper elementary schools.

New approximate start times

2008-09                              Start            End

High School (9-12)            7:30 a.m.      2:30 p.m.

Middle School (6-8)            7:30 a.m.      2:35

Primary (Pre-K - 1)            8:30 a.m.      3:20

Upper Elementary (2-5)      8:40 a.m.      3:40 p.m.

2009-10                              Start            End

High School (9-12)            7:30 a.m.      2:30 p.m.

Middle School (7-8)            7:30 a.m.      2:35

Logan Elementary (2-3)      8:20 a.m.      3:20 p.m.

New primary (Pre-K - 1)      8:30 a.m.      3:20 p.m.

Upper Elementary (4-6)      8:40 a.m.      3:40 p.m.