SCHOOL BOARD ADOPTS DRUG-TESTING POLICY

Students Can Be Tested More Than Once Per Year

Students in Beaufort County have been put on notice by the Beaufort
County Board of Education that the use of alcohol and/or illicit
drugs continues not to be tolerated in the school system.

An updated policy adopted Thursday revamps the previous document to
allow additional testing for drugs and alcohol.

"I want to make sure we have consistency," said board member Teressa
Banks.

She questioned the section of the policy that rests on the
determination of reasonable cause made by a principal or assistant
principal for the administrator to suspect that a student is under
the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance.

"When a principal or assistant principal has reasonable basis to
believe that a student is using or is under the influence of alcohol
or a controlled substance at school or at a school activity, the
school administrator may offer the student and the student's parents
the opportunity for an alcohol and/or drug test, at board expense, to
determine whether the administrator's belief is justified," the new
policy reads.

Superintendent Jeff Moss said "reasonable basis" constituted the
smell of alcohol or the presence of slurred speech or the observance
of staggered walking or any of a number of other signs that indicate
impairment.

"That is understood by our principals and assistant principals and
whatever they see as a reasonable basis will be written up," he said.

In an earlier meeting, board member John White expressed similar
concerns to Banks' about the policy.

Moss told board members that all principals and assistant principals
in the school system are educated on what "reasonable basis" is and
understand when a call on suspected alcohol and/or drug use is
appropriate.

"If the test results are negative for the presence of alcohol or an
illegal drug, the student shall be found innocent of the allegations
of misconduct" by the principal or assistant principal, reads the
policy. "If the test results are positive for the presence of drugs
or alcohol, the results shall be considered relevant corroborative
evidence of a violation of the policy."

The policy requires the administrator to base a disciplinary decision
solely on the information obtained during the investigation of the
alleged misconduct.

Despite the policy covering the total student population, it is very
specific about athletes and their qualification to participate in
sports.

"Participation in athletics is a privilege and not a right," the
policy reads. "Students involved in athletic activities represent the
school and school system in interscholastic competition, public
performances and various other activities. They are role models for
other students. Their use or abstinence in the use of alcohol or
illegal drugs is likely to influence the choices of other high school
students.

"In addition, the use or abuse of alcohol and/or illegal drugs by
athletes is likely to increase student injuries to the user or others
with whom he/she is playing.

"Finally, the board believes that the adoption of the alcohol- and
drug-testing policy will deter the use of alcohol and drugs among
high school students.

"Therefore, the board of education has adopted the policy on alcohol
and drug testing of students who participate in athletic
activities."

The policy requires all athletes to be tested once per year during
their sport's season for alcohol and/or drug use; but, the policy
does not require an athlete to be tested again if that athlete
participates in more than one sport.

However, the policy does not put athletes in the clear after one test
because the policy allows for an athlete to be tested again, and
possibly more times, at some points during the year, as determined by
the superintendent.

"This will be done randomly -- randomly chosen by computer -- by a
testing administrator on contract," Moss said.

According to the policy, the number of athletes tested randomly will
be: middle schools -- six athletes per sports season; 3A high schools
- -- 16 selected per month; and 1A high schools -- 12 per month.

"The superintendent may increase or decrease numbers as needed,"
according to the policy. "The students shall be tested for the
presence of marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines and any other drugs the
superintendent deems appropriate."

On a first offense of testing positive on a drug test, or if a
student is caught with alcohol or a controlled substance at school or
at a school-sponsored event or if a student is convicted in court for
use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance, the policy
states that the student is ineligible to participate in athletics for
365 calendar days. However, if the student agrees to be assessed and
enrolls in and successfully completes a substance-abuse education
and/or intervention program recommended by the superintendent, the
policy allows the student to regain eligibility to participate in
sports.

On a second offense, the policy gives the student no reprieve and
makes the student sit out of sports for a year.

The policy states that a student is not subject to suspension from
school as a result of a positive test.