LR SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES DRUG TESTING POLICY, NEW START TIMES

The Logan-Rogersville Board of Education adopted two much-debated
policies June 18, during their regular meeting.

Random drug testing and new school start times were approved, though
not without discussion.

"I think we're taking valuable education dollars out of the
classroom," said board member Lisa Spragg, following a second reading
of the random drug testing policy by Superintendent Allan Markley.

The policy, which would allow for random drug and alcohol testing of
any student involved in an extra-curricular or co-curricular activity
(see box for definitions), or who drives to school.

Markley said that would affect approximately 400 of the high school's
650 students, and about 250 students at the middle school. A section
of the policy involving pre-screening of everyone in the pool was
removed before the policy was passed.

Twenty students a month will be tested for marijuana, cocaine and
opiates, which would include prescription medicines under the new policy.

Markley said the district had 24 drug-related suspensions during the
2007-08 school year, up from 21 in 2006-07, primarily from
prescription drugs.

Spragg raised a concern that students involved in co-curricular
activities would have their grade affected by their inability to
participate outside the classroom.

Jerry Harmiston, the district's attorney, said the policy made
allowances for those students to do additional in-class work to make
up for out-of-class participation.

Board member J.D. Fielden said he wanted to be able to review the
policy annually to allow for any adjustments that might need to be
made.

"I think we need to do what our administrators and community asked us
to," said board member Kyle Jessen, referencing a survey of LR
district patrons.

Fielden made a motion to approve the amended policy with review to
take place annually, "if not sooner." Jessen seconded the motion,
which was approved 5-2 with Spragg and Colleen Stone voting against
it.

A motion to modify the start and end times at each school building was
made by Fielden, seconded by Jessen and unanimously approved by the
board.

Markley, making presentations at his final board meeting before
leaving for Raytown, said the change in times (see box) would reduce
bus trip time and get primary students off busses with high school
students.

One issue of concern was what to with non-bus riding younger children
who had to be dropped off at school early or who could not be picked
up until later.

Markley said the district offers day care with tutoring for a $1 a
day, before and after school.

"We think, over time, people will adjust to it," he
said.

Assistant Superintendent Gary Hogue said fuel costs would increase but
there would be lower personnel costs. The district ran 23 busses last
year; under the new school start time schedule, busses would get twice
the usage with 12 busses used at the middle school and high school,
and 15 busses used for the primary and upper elementary schools.

New approximate start times

2008-09 Start End

High School (9-12) 7:30 a.m. 2:30 p.m.

Middle School (6-8) 7:30 a.m. 2:35
p.m.

Primary (Pre-K - 1) 8:30 a.m. 3:20
p.m.

Upper Elementary (2-5) 8:40 a.m. 3:40 p.m.

2009-10 Start End

High School (9-12) 7:30 a.m. 2:30 p.m.

Middle School (7-8) 7:30 a.m. 2:35
p.m.

Logan Elementary (2-3) 8:20 a.m. 3:20 p.m.

New primary (Pre-K - 1) 8:30 a.m. 3:20 p.m.

Upper Elementary (4-6) 8:40 a.m. 3:40 p.m.

* These times have not been finalized and may be off a few minutes
from the times schools will begin using in August. The final times are
scheduled for decision in mid-July.

Drug testing policy definitions

Co-curricular activities - Activities that take place inside and
outside the classroom, and are associated with a credit or grade.
Examples of co-curricular activities include band, choir, speech and
debate, and student council. Participation in the portion of a
co-curricular activity that takes place outside the classroom is a
privilege, not a right.

Extra-curricular activities - Activities that take place outside the
normal school day, are sponsored by the school, and are not associated
with a credit or grade. Examples of extra-curricular activities
include athletics, cheerleading, pep club, and other service clubs and
organizations. Participation in extra-curricular activities is a
privilege, not a right.

- - from the "Definitions" section of the new Random Drug and Alcohol
Testing Policy adopted by the Logan-Rogersville School Board on June
18, 2008