ALBERTVILLE MAY ASK ITS STUDENT DRIVERS TO TAKE DRUG TESTS

School Board May Set A New Policy For Parking Permits

ALBERTVILLE - The Albertville City Board of Education is considering a
board policy that would require students who want a parking permit to agree
to random drug testing.

The board reviewed the policy Thursday night and Superintendent Dr. Rob
Sparkman said he hoped it could be in place by January or the start of the
2004-05 school year.

Albertville High School Principal Paul McAbee approached him about the
policy and the system consulted with District Attorney Steve Marshall, the
Shelby County School System, which has the same policy in place, and others.

To get a permit to have a car on campus, a student would have to sign a
permission form to agree to a drug and alcohol test.

"It (drugs) is not a huge problem but there are some," Sparkman said. "We
want to make the campus safe for all students."

The system has considered drug testing for athletes but decided it did not
address the entire student population. This would be the system's first
drug testing policy, if passed.

In other business, the board appointed a school nurse and principal.

The board accepted the resignation of Penny Shadinger, who was a system
nurse for 26 years, and named Robin Morrow to the post. Morrow is a
registered nurse who has worked in county health facilities and the local
school system.

The board also accepted the resignation of Tim Tidmore as assistant
principal at Alabama Avenue Middle School and then approved a two-year
probationary contract for him as principal of Evans Elementary School.

Tidmore, who has been assistant at the middle school for three years and
had worked in the Fort Payne school system, takes over the post in January
following the retirement of Principal Lynn Brothers.