SILVER LAKE BOARD REJECTS DRUG TESTING

SILVER LAKE -- The Silver Lake school board decided Monday it won't pursue
a policy that would require students to undergo random drug tests to
participate in extracurricular activities.

Silver Lake Unified School District 372 board members began discussing the
policy after maintenance workers this summer discovered four hypodermic
needles while power spraying the boys' locker room at the high school. The
needles were turned over to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and tested
positive for steroids.

Mary Christoph, a parent of several student athletes, spoke in opposition
of the policy on Monday, saying she didn't "feel an intrusion into our
children's privacy is warranted." She said many parents agreed but were
reluctant to speak out because they didn't want to appear as if they
condoned the drug activity.

The draft policy called for seventh-to 12th-grade students to enroll in a
drug-testing pool within the first week of school in order to participate
in activities for which they don't receive a grade.

Steve Pegram, superintendent of USD 372, recommended the board not approve
the policy because the district doesn't have a widespread drug problem and
the policy lacks community support. He said testing for steroids -- the
item that sparked the random drug-testing discussion in the first place --
would cost too much.

Only four Kansas districts have random drug-testing policies -- Columbus
USD 493, Holcomb USD 363, Bluestem USD 205 and Caldwell USD 360.

The board also Monday:

Approved a class-size/caseload policy for exceptional students.

Accepted the resignation of Bill Biller as a part-time custodian. He will
continue to work ball games and coach track.

Approved the employment of Ryan Freed for the position of assistant high
school play director.

Appointed Debbie Kelly, Nancy Desch and Erin Dieker for two-year terms to
the high school site council and Ken Rahjes and Diane Herrmann to the
elementary site council for two-year terms.