OFFICIALS PLEASED BY RESULTS OF DANCE DRUG TEST

FOUNTAIN SPRINGS -- The North Schuylkill student drug testing policy
was implemented Saturday as 22 of the 400 students in grades 7
through 12 attending the winter formal dance were tested based on
randomly selected ticket numbers.

"All tests were negative," Principal Sharon Snyder said
Monday.

As the students entered the building, their ticket numbers were
called and those on the preselected random list were taken to another
area in the school for testing. A swab of the cheek taken by staff of
Saint Catherine Medical Center Fountain Springs took only a few
moments and the students were then able to rejoin their friends on
the dance floor. Snyder said the tests were divided equally between
high school and junior high students.

"The kids were very cooperative and so were the parents," Snyder
said. "We knew the results almost immediately and were very
encouraged with the results."

Snyder said there were concerns with student drug use at the formals
and prom in the past.

"My feeling is always that I hope our students here make good
decisions and I hope that this helps them in making good decisions,"
Snyder said.

Snyder said the random drug testing did not keep the students away
from the formal.

"Mrs. (Lynn) Minalda (SADD advisor) said this was one of the
best-attended formals in the last few years," she said.

The school board passed the random drug testing policy for district
students during its August meeting.

The Spartan Task Force formed during the 2006-07 school year at the
North Schuylkill Junior/Senior High School to develop a proactive
response to drug- and alcohol-related issues.

During a special meeting held in October, the board voted to revise
the language in the school handbook regarding the testing as it
applies to holiday formals and the prom. Until that point, the policy
required parents to attend an informational session on drugs and
alcohol before purchasing tickets for such events. The change in the
policy now allows random testing at the events.

"In light of the commitment of the board to do random drug testing,
this would allow for random testing for those who attend rather than
requiring parents to attend a presentation. The parent session would
now be voluntary," Acting Assistant Superintendent/Solicitor Mark
Semanchik said at the October meeting. "The board action is such
based on cooperation and parents' support."

Bonnie Yanuskiewicz, Spartan Task Force facilitator was appreciative
of the board's decision.