VIDOR SCHOOL DISTRICT STILL WAITING TO START DRUG TESTING

VIDOR - Now in the fourth week of school, the Vidor Independent School
District has yet to set a date as to when its mandatory, random drug
testing will begin. Advertisement

Testing could begin as soon as October, but it will definitely occur
sometime this fall, said Willie Hayes, assistant superintendent of
personnel and school operations.

Last year, the VISD Board of Trustees approved the random testing, and
it was scheduled to begin in the 2005-06 school year. However, in
September 2005, the school district announced the program would be
postponed because consent forms were not distributed in a timely
manner, VISD board President Michael Quinn said.

This year, there have been no arrests for drug activity. However,
school officials have found prescription Adderall pills, generally
used to combat ADHD, on campus, said Ray Moseley, VISD police chief.

He said the district is taking a proactive stance about drug use among
students by implementing a drug abuse prevention program in middle
school.

Once testing begins in Vidor it probably will continue on a monthly
basis, Hayes said.

Testing positive can result in counseling and revoked parking
privileges for a first offense up to being excluded from participating
in any extracurricular activities for the remainder of a student's
academic career for a third offense.

Only students who participate in extracurricular activities or who
drive to school would have to submit to random drug testing. Tests
will cost the district about $15.45 per student, Hayes said.

The testing will be done at both high school and junior high campuses.