DRUG TEST PROPOSAL EXEMPTS HIGHER-UPS

Kanawha County schools' proposed drug-testing policy would exempt
upper-level administrators and board members from screenings, while
requiring principals, teachers and school service personnel to
undergo random tests.

Board member Pete Thaw says that is not fair.

The revamped policy -- up for discussion at a meeting Thursday --
will require all workers deemed to be in "safety sensitive" jobs to
be randomly drug tested. The policy, however, does not include
testing of administrators at the county's central board office.

Thaw said all administrators, even board members, should be tested.

"I would feel very uncomfortable if I didn't submit to the testing
myself, when we're asking all these other people to do it," he said Tuesday.

According to the proposed guidelines, "safety-sensitive" positions
include principals, assistant principals, guidance counselors,
teachers, mechanics, carpenters, cooks, custodians, electricians,
locksmiths and machinists.

"Not once does it mention the staff at 200 Elizabeth Street or the
board," Thaw said.

"How much more safety sensitive can you get? They're the ones running
the school system, making the big decisions. They should be included, too."

Last fall, school officials began discussing revisions to the
drug-testing policy to include random drug testing of teachers and
other school employees.

The decision came soon after Pratt Elementary School Principal David
Anderson, 42, was arrested and charged with cocaine possession.

Revisions to the policy are up for first reading at Thursday's board
meeting. Board members can make changes or amendments to the proposal
at that time.

The Kanawha County Commission also will unveil its own drug-testing
proposal at a meeting Thursday.

Government agencies across West Virginia are implementing stricter
drug-testing requirements. Many say it's a cost issue as well as a
public safety issue. They say more screenings would reduce the cost
of insurance premiums.

Drug testing for all 3,700 school employees could cost almost
$200,000, according to figures released last fall.

During the 2005-2006 school year, the county spent about $12,600 to
test 250 school bus drivers and mechanics.

Charleston Police Chief Brent Webster endorsed the expanded
screenings for the school system.

"They deal with children, who are near and dear to all of us,"
Webster said. "I think it's a no-brainer."

Kanawha County government's proposed plan would require employees in
safety-sensitive positions to be randomly tested. The positions
include any commission employee who routinely operates a vehicle,
carries a firearm and uses dangerous tools, equipment or chemicals.

In the school system, only school bus drivers are currently tested.
Other school employees can be tested, but only if there is suspicion
of abuse -- and that has happened about five times in the past five
years, school officials said.

Thursday's board meeting will be held at the central board office on
Elizabeth Street at 3 p.m.