FEDERAL GRANT AVAILABLE TO DISTRICTS FOR DRUG TESTING

The U.S. Department of Education and the White House Office of
National Drug Control Policy this week announced $8.6 million in
federal grants for the implementation of random student drug testing
in schools, which could be good news for Terrell ISD as the district
tries to move forward by adding to its current drug program.

While TISD hasn't applied for any grants, expanding its testing
program is a future order of business, according to TISD
superintendent Walt Davis.

In order to qualify for a grant, applicants must agree that the
random testing pool will be limited to students in ninth through 12th
grade, and within that group, all students who participate in the
school's athletic program or those who are engaged in competitive
extracurricular or school-sponsored activities.

When TISD trustees voted in April 2004 to adopt limited drug testing
for high school athletes, cheerleaders and drill team members, the
district became the last Kaufman County district with a testing program.

Last year, of the seven programs among county schools, Terrell's was
not only the youngest, but the least expensive and the least
comprehensive. At a cost of $1,200 a year, the district randomly
selected 20 students - 10 boys and 10 girls - every six weeks for testing.

This year however, the program has grown stronger. TISD currently
tests 20 girls and 20 boys from from middle to high school. Failed
samples are automatically retested at no cost to the district or
students. Athletes, cheerleaders and drill team members are required
to sign notices of consent along with their parents. Refusing to sign
the consent prevents students from participating for the school year.

When the policy was created, the primary intention behind testing was
to fuel students' efforts to resist peer pressure and avoid drug use.

"When I left Terrell, the testing was random," said Tom York, former
TISD athletic director. "When students know they're going to be
tested beyond a shadow of a doubt, it's more of a deterrent than if
they may or may not be selected."

York, who was hired by TISD in 2003 and left in 2006 to be the
athletic director at Kaufman ISD, said he was pleased with the
testing results during his first year but felt the program needed to
be expanded to one similar to what he implemented at Corrigan-Camden,
where he coached prior to Terrell.

"It would have cost more money, but it would have ensured that every
athlete was tested," York said.

York said that while Terrell may have started later than Kaufman,
neither school had a very high rate of testing. He said Kaufman's
rate may be a little higher because every athlete is tested before
the season and in Terrell they are not.

"This has been a major transition period for Terrell," said Bill
Campbell TISD assistant superintendent. "It took a while because
funding from the state has dwindled and now 65 percent of the money
goes straight into curriculum."

Campbell said the first year drug testing at TISD was mandated by the
state and the school gave voluntary tests through the DFYIT program.
Campbell said that later the school's UIL program made drug testing mandatory.

TISD currently has a drug and alcohol awareness program for third
through 12th grade and a "Let's Play It Safe" program for first
through fourth grade.

"We are working with the Phoenix House of Dallas, a drug and alcohol
treatment and prevention program, on the development of an
after-school program for students who have made some bad choices,"
Campbell said. "After school, the kids will have sessions with our counselors."

Students involved in the program, which will be presented to the
school board on Nov. 16, would have to have tested positive for drug
use and would receive counseling in addition to fulfilling any
community service obligations.

"Unfortunately, there are not that many outreach services in Terrell
for students of a younger age, so we are having to go through
Dallas," Campbell said.

Campbell said he has found that the amount of students who have
tested positive at TISD has significantly decreased.

There has definitely been a decrease in students testing positive in
the last couple of years," Campbell said. "As far as drug-related
issues with students while they're in school, we just don't have much
of a problem."

York said he is glad there are programs like this because it's a
great incentive for students to stay drug-free.

"I truly believe drug testing is one of the best things a school
district can do for its students," York said.