SCHOOLS DISCUSS DRUG TESTING STUDENTS

DANVILLE -- At least one Danville resident wants administrators to
revisit the discussion of whether or not to randomly drug test high
school students.

Dawn Gill asked school board members Jan. 22 not to forget the idea
of drug testing students, something the district was seriously
considering in 2005. Superintendent Steve Keifer then said randomly
drug testing students involved in extracurricular activities would
"give kids an excuse to say 'no' to drugs."

But former high school principal Margaret Auten was opposed to drug
testing, calling instead for parents to be more vigilant in watching
their children.

"We've got to do something," said Mrs. Gill at the meeting.

Director Carol Bisordi said if the idea of drug testing is
revisited, she believes all students should be treated equally.

"You can't isolate which students you want the testing done for," she said.

Mr. Keifer said the district has not forgotten about random drug
testing and intends to revisit the issue.

Cost of the testing had previously been a concern, he said. The
tests cost about $60, he said. But Mrs. Gill said she knew of places
to get tests done for less than $60.

The issue of randomly drug testing students was brought to the
forefront in 2005 after it was revealed that 50 percent of the 26
dropouts in the 2004-2005 school year had been found to have used
either drugs or alcohol.

"If kids are using drugs and alcohol, let's face it, they're not
going to perform well in school," Superintendent Keifer then said.