Proposed Drug Policy Sparks Discussion

ARGENTA -- A lengthy public meeting on Monday night brought hearty debate
over proposed random drug testing in the Argenta-Oreana School District.

While several parents in the audience of about 30 expressed support for the
measure, others raised concerns about whether it might prompt lawsuits and
its effectiveness as a deterrent. The meeting also featured presentations
by Macon County Sheriff's deputy David Reeves and Argenta police Sgt. Larry
Leischner.

The policy would cover students in grades six through 12 who participate in
extracurricular activities. Students and their parents would sign a consent
form at the beginning of the school year, and students would be subject to
random testing throughout the year. The policy calls for positive results
to be revealed only to the student, his or her parents and certain school
officials. After the meeting, Superintendent David Bottom said the school
board would consider public comment, revise its draft policy, then hold
another public meeting before taking action.

Leischner told parents that drugs are definitely present at the schools,
holding up bottles of drugs that had been found at the junior and senior
high school.

"Don't ever say 'not my kids' because I will tell you now it can be," he said.

Parent Tina Pressley told the board she disagrees with the policy. She
cited the possibility of a lawsuit that would be expensive even if the
district won.

Parent Kim Michener, who has three children in the district, suggested an
educational program for parents and students would be a better first step
than testing.

But parent Rossena Cook, who works for the Illinois Department of
Corrections, said the policy is needed so children who need help can get it.

"If we don't stop it now, they are going to be seeing me," she said.

School board President Debra Rainey said the policy will be effective if it
helps just one student avoid jail or a worse fate.

"We are all parents, too," she said. "The idea is to save someone. And if
it is just one, it's one."