WAYNE SCHOOLS MAY REQUIRE DRUG TESTS

WAYNE -- High school students who participate in clubs, play sports or
drive to campus could soon face mandatory drug testing.

The Board of Education and administration are considering replacing a
voluntary drug and alcohol testing program that started in the fall
with a mandatory program. Board members voted to remove $18,000 for
the voluntary program -- called "Be Proud" -- from the proposed
2007-08 budget while the administration investigates switching to
mandatory testing.

"What we are interested in doing is saving students," said schools
Superintendent Maria Nuccetelli. "It's worthwhile if it gives students
a reason to say, I don't want to do this."

If Wayne switches to mandatory drug and alcohol testing, the school
system would join at least 16 other districts in the state that
require students to participate in random drug testing, said Mike
Yaple, spokesman for the New Jersey School Boards Association.

School administrators are investigating the policies used in other
school districts and plan to make a presentation soon before the Board
of Education.

More than 200 students, about a third of the freshman class, enrolled
in the voluntary testing program, Nuccetelli said. Eighth-grade
students were asked to sign up for drug testing when they select their
high school courses.

The district started testing students for drugs and alcohol in
October. One student has tested positive, Nuccetelli said.

Some board members have already expressed opposition to adopting a
mandatory drug-testing policy.

"I'm not sure it's our job," said board member Cindy Simon. "At what
point does parental responsibility end and taxpayer responsibility
start?"

Board member Marlene Polinik said she was opposed to abandoning a
program that just started. But board member Dawn Makowski supported
investigating the benefits of mandatory drug and alcohol testing.

"Anything you can do to save a child from anything that would be a
detriment to their health, well-being and future, that is what we are
supposed to be doing," Makowski said.

The proposed policy change is not a done deal. The board could still
decide to continue the voluntary program and restore funding before
the budget is adopted in the spring, Nuccetelli said.

Not all parents would welcome mandatory testing in the
district.

"I feel it's a parent's role to determine whether or not your child
has a problem," said Helen Kluger, a mother of two Wayne Hills High
School students. "I think they are really overstepping their
boundaries."