CITIZEN URGES DRUG TESTING AT OHS

For the first time in many months, a citizen signed up for public
comment to discuss random drug testing at Olney High School during
the Monday, June 16, meeting of the Olney ISD Board of Trustees.

Spencer Key spoke in favor of beginning random drug testing at OHS,
and also in favor of closing campus for lunch. He brought a small
group of supporters who did not speak. During public comment session,
each individual is allowed only five minutes to speak. The board
cannot discuss or act on information brought up during the public
comment session if the information is not already included on the agenda.

Key is an adult probation officer for Young County, and also a board
member and past president of the Turning Point Substance Abuse Council.

"I came to the school board three years ago, June 20, 2005, to
request that they address the issue of random drug testing."

He said it was later reported that the board said it did not "want to
open up that can of worms," and did not think there was a big problem
with drugs at OHS. Key was at Monday's meeting to inform the board of
the large scope of the drug problem in the district, and call for action.

"As far as drug activity among students at Olney High School, it has
only gotten worse," Key said. "It is no longer just the former
students who are getting in trouble after they graduate. It is
occurring among students from all backgrounds, those from families
with higher incomes, lower incomes or moderate incomes. Those who
make high grades, those who make lower grades. Those who are involved
with athletics, band, student organizations and those who are not
involved at all."

Key said his claims can be backed up by administrators, law
enforcement officials and students. He said students come to school
under the influence of drugs, and have been known to take pills at
the water fountain between classes. Others have smoked marijuana in
the school's restrooms without getting caught, while still more leave
campus at lunch, take drugs and then return. One big problem in the
past year has been students sharing pills with other students.

"Many students at OHS are beginning to decline in their athletic
performance, with fewer students actively involved with sports," he
said. "In the past, there were more students on the honor roll, but
now there are only a select few."

A possible solution Key proposed was closing campus for lunch, and
suggested the district utilize the cafeteria and concession areas of
the gym to serve students and keep them on campus during that time.
He also mentioned random drug testing as an option that could deter
students from using drugs.

"No one can predict if one occasion of use will lead to a life of
addiction," he said. "But I ask you, how much is one life worth? If
the possibility of getting caught might keep someone from
experimenting or using drugs, it is worth it."

He also called for more appearances by the drug dog, as well as more
relevant drug education programs and a more defined policy to deal
with students caught using drugs that includes punishment, counseling
and progressive sanctions.

"I promise I won't wait another three years before I come back," Key
said. "I was trying not to cause a scene while my kids were in high
school, but no longer have to worry about that. I will be back." The
board did not discuss Key's proposals.

Also at the meeting, the board reviewed the appraised values for
properties encompassed by the Olney ISD in Baylor, Archer and Young counties.

Superintendent Tom Bailey said the current appraised value comes out
to $187 million, and is up from $166 million last year.

"We've still got some appeals to come out of it," Bailey said, noting
that the value would probably decrease some.

Later, the board considered increasing meal prices by 25 cents, from
$2 to $2.25.

Bailey told the board that every student gets access to a free
breakfast, and that 52,795 breakfasts were served at no charge to
students during the past school year. Half of those were served at
OHS through the "Grab and Go" program run by the Student Council.
Bailey said the income from 72,908 lunches sold throughout the year
subsidizes the free breakfast program.

The board approved the increase to $2.25 per lunch.

Olney ISD's TAKS scores were also briefly reviewed. Passing rates,
district-wide, were 90.4 percent in reading, 88.9 percent in math,
80.9 percent in science, 90.8 percent in social studies and 95
percent in writing. Olney ISD was above regional and state averages
in most areas.

"Our scores are good," Bailey said. "You've always got those areas
you want to spend more time in, and we will do so."

Trustees also considered pay supplement increases for all salaried
teachers. Bailey said the district has paid $1,000 over the base
salary for teachers for the past 24 years. Trustees approved
increasing that amount to $1,500 over the base salary. They also
voted to pay $1,200 over base for secondary math, science and Spanish
teachers, as well as special education instructors at all levels.

After an executive session, the trustees accepted the resignation of
Lauren Bagley, OHS math teacher and coach. They also approved the
employment of Michele Carpenter as OHS Spanish and English teacher,
and Kari Schoonover as special education teacher at OHS.

In other business:

. The board approved minutes from its May 19 meeting.

. Financial statements and a budget amendment for the purchase of a
new bus were approved.

. Trustees reviewed a preliminary budget for the 2008-2009 school year.

. A contract with the district's auditing firm, Freemon, Shapard and
Story, was approved. Trustees said they wanted to go out for bids on
the contract next year.

. Jan Williams was reappointed at the board's representative to the
Olney Community Library and Arts Center board, and Evelyn Altmiller
was reappointed as its community member on the board.

. Approval of the district's worker's compensation contract with
Claims Administrative Services was tabled until Bailey could verify
whether or not the district was still a part of the Texas Worker's
Compensation program.

. Policy update 83 was approved, as required by the state.

. Bids were accepted from Lee's Interiors of Graham for reflooring of
OHS in a combination of carpet, tile and vinyl, and from Sam Gibbs
Music of Wichita Falls for a new sound system in the auditorium.