DISTRICT CONSIDERS DRUG TESTING

Madison Board Will Vote April 21 On Testing Employees Not Represented
By The Teachers Union.

MADISON TWP. -- Madison Local Schools may implement random drug
testing for employees who are not represented by the teacher's union,
according to a board meeting agenda.

Madison board members will vote Monday, April 21, on a proposal to
"authorize institution of a random drug testing program covering all
employees who are not members of the Madison Education Association,"
according to the agenda for the 6 p.m. meeting to be held at the
district's administrative offices.

The resolution includes language for a maximum cost for the 2008-09
school year but the amount is not filled in on the agenda at this
time. Superintendent Chris Cline said the board would choose the
amount at Monday's meeting, based on how many employees they want to
test each year.

"That was put on by the board president (Glenn Cappel)," he said.

Cappel said Saturday that he wanted to implement drug testing for
employees to make sure there are new issues with staff members and
that he wants to put drug testing into the MEA contract the next time
the district negotiates with teachers.

"It's just to make sure that we don't have a problem," he said. "I
just don't want any kids o have to deal with people that are on drugs."

The MEA represents the district's teachers, but support employees
such as aides, custodians, secretaries and administrators are not
represented by the union and would be subject to the random drug
testing program if it is approved.

To include the MEA members in the program, the district would have to
put a drug testing clause in the collective bargaining agreement with
the union. The current three-year contract will not expire until the
2009-10 school year.

There are other districts in Ohio that test employees for drugs, said
Ohio Education Association Media Relations Consultant Michele Prater.