BOARD GRAPPLES WITH DRUG-TEST POLICY

The city school board is considering a proposal to randomly test all
employees for drug use, from groundskeepers to administrators.

The plan could be in place by March.

The West Point district currently has no written policy, but employees
responsible for transporting students have been subject to random
testing under state and federal safety regulations.

On Monday, board attorney Tom Storey recommended the policy to give
the board some leverage in dealing with drug issues.

Storey said the board must decide how to handle positive test results.
He said the policy could include a zero-tolerance clause, which would
allow for immediate termination following positive testing or it could
permit employees to undergo rehabilitation at their own expense.

Some other area school districts, including those in Clay County and
Starkville, test bus drivers upon hiring them and test randomly
thereafter. The districts do not test other employees.

The West Point board will discuss the issue further in
February.