CARMEL SCHOOL BOARD DEBATES DRUG-TESTING POLICY

Carmel -- Carmel Clay School Board members are debating the merits of
adopting a random drug-testing policy for district high school students.

Adopting such a program would be a change from the suspicion-only testing
currently conducted at Carmel High School and would involve testing not
just athletes but all student drivers and anyone in extracurricular activities.

The price for the tests alone could range from $30,000 to $40,000, but
board Vice President Jeff Carter noted at a meeting last week that the cost
doesn't take into consideration the time high school staffers would spend
sorting and tracking the students who had been tested.

Another concern is whether enough students, parents and staff members were
included when discussions about the policy were held last spring.

The board will continue the discussion at future meetings.