Pubdate: Wed, 19 Jun 2013
Source: Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL)
Copyright: 2013 The Daily Herald Company
Contact:  http://www.dailyherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/107
Author: Marie Wilson

DISTRICT 203 STUDYING DRUG TESTING FOR SOME STUDENTS

Naperville Unit District 203 is edging toward possible random drug 
testing for students who participate in extracurricular activities, 
but in a manner one board member described as "slow and thoughtful."

Administrators say they will spend the summer studying drug and 
alcohol policies in other districts in response to a coach's 
suggestion after some high school students were punished for drug use.

School board member Mike Jaensch said any testing program should be 
designed to help students overcome substance abuse problems, not 
punish them for first offenses.

"The concern was getting help for the kids that need it," he said.

School board members were briefed this week on research conducted by 
Bob Ross, assistant superintendent for secondary education. Ross said 
staff members met with Rosecrance Health Network, which provides drug 
and alcohol rehabilitation, and also discussed with lawyers the 
legality of random drug testing for students who participate in 
athletics or student activities and are governed by the co-curricular code.

Ross said random drug testings for students who participate in 
activities is legal, but expanding it to the entire student 
population would not be.

"We can't as a school district say you have to be drug tested or you 
can't go to school," Ross said. "We can say you have to be drug 
tested or you can't play sports."

Administrators also contacted athletic directors at high schools in 
Wilmington, Sandwich, Plano, Rock Falls, Lake Zurich and Oregon, 
Ill., where Ross said random drug testing is in place.

Those schools usually are not used as comparisons for Naperville 
North and Naperville Central, so Ross said research must be done 
among schools more similar in terms of size and demographics -- even 
if they are out of state.

"There remains a large question about whether or not this is the 
right thing to do and what is the right way to do it," Ross said. 
"What we're trying to do is help students make good decisions."

Superintendent Dan Bridges directed administrators to look at how 
drug testing could fit with the rest of the co-curricular code and 
consequences for other violations, such as hazing, harassment or theft.

The code is reviewed each year by a committee of administrators, 
coaches, parents and students, and this year's review prompted 
consideration of possible drug testing.

Jaensch said the board will not implement random drug testing without 
broad community support and he and Ross encouraged community members 
to share their opinions.

Jaensch also suggested staff examine the drug and alcohol policies of 
Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Mo., which will begin random 
testing of its entire student body in August under a health and 
wellness model that gives students two chances to get help and stop 
using drugs before facing consequences such as expulsion.

"It's very clear the primary goal is to help the kid," Jaensch said 
about the Rockhurst policy.

Ross said staff members will update the board in October or November 
on their research.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom