SCHOOL PASSES POLICY ON RANDOM DRUG TEST

HOBART -- The Hobart School Board is preparing to adopt a new
drug-testing policy in which students in grades seven through 12
would be subjected to random drug tests.

School officials will determine when the unannounced urine drug tests
are administered.

Students who drive to school or participate in athletics and other
voluntary extracurricular activities will be selected at random for
the alcohol and drug testing.

"We just want to be proactive," School Board President Terry Butler
said Thursday after the drug policy passed on a first reading.

The policy will go into effect on Oct. 1, if approved.

School officials said the policy is designed to: provide for the
health and safety of students; give students a legitimate reason to
refuse drug use; and encourage students who use drugs to seek treatment.

The school district will host an information seminar on the drug
testing for parents, students and Hobart residents at 6 p.m. July 31
in the Hobart High School auditorium.

The school board is expected to take a final vote on the drug-testing
policy on Aug. 7.