DISTRICT REINSTATES DRUG TESTS

School Board votes 5-0 to resume policy Nov. 12 in wake of state high
court's intent to review ban.

GREENWOOD, Ind. -- Greenwood Schools has become the third Johnson
County school system to reinstate random drug testing since the
Indiana Supreme Court agreed to review a lower court's effective ban
on such policies.

The Greenwood School Board voted 5-0 this week to restart testing at
Greenwood High School and Greenwood Middle School. The policy will go
into effect Nov. 12, said Superintendent Pat Garvey.

"We'll be getting consent forms signed by parents" before that date, he said.

The policy will apply to students involved in extracurricular
activities and high school students who drive to school.

Parents have supported the policy, said Bob Hynds, director of
student services.

"Last night, a couple of parents at the board meeting came up
afterward and said they were really pleased we're reinstating the
program," Hynds said Wednesday. "I don't expect any objections."

School officials have yet to decide what firm will administer the
drug tests, Hynds said. The cost of testing a student will be about
$25 per test, he said.

Center Grove and Clark-Pleasant Schools reinstated random drug tests
earlier this year.

Edinburgh school officials have discussed the possibility of resuming
random drug tests but have not done so, said Athletics Director Tom
Derrico.

Officials at Nineveh-Hensley-Jackson Schools intend to wait until the
Indiana Supreme Court issues a decision, Superintendent Michael
Thompson has said.

Officials at Franklin Schools opted against random drug tests before
the state appellate court ruled against the practice.