DRUG TESTING PITCHED

A rumor that De Soto USD 232 would implement random student drug
testing at the high school level gave the principals an idea.

At Monday's board meeting, De Soto High School Principal Dave Morford
and Mill Valley High School Principal Joe Novak asked the board to
consider a task force or study committee to explore the idea of
random drug testing for students involved in extracurricular activities.

Novak said although a rumor the school would implement the plan this
year was not true, it made him think about the possibility.

"(The rumor) sent a shock wave through our kids that was good to
see," he said. "When it came out that we were just looking at it,
there was a sigh of relief."

Board member Bill Waye said that if students were to undergo random
drug testing, he wanted to see that employees had to meet the same standards.

"I don't have any objections to keeping drugs out of the school, and
I hear exactly what you are saying," Waye said. "I would like at the
same time that we get serious information about at least drug testing
for employees."

Superintendent Sharon Zoellner said administrators had discussed a
policy of drug testing for new district employees.

Novak and Morford said their concern about drug use at school had
escalated in recent years. Novak said school resource officers were a
great help. Mill Valley also has unannounced visits from officers
with drug-sniffing dogs two or three times a year, she said.

"I'm glad we haven't found anything," Novak said. "Unfortunately over
the years zero tolerance has taken a new twist. In its essence it was
probably originally a deterrent for high school kids because they
really thought they could get caught by word of mouth. That really is
beginning to wane."

Both principals researched random drug testing programs used in other
schools. The districts in Scottsbluff, Neb., and El Dorado have two
such programs. Morford said although courts have not upheld random
drug testing of all students, they have upheld testing of students
involved in activities because while education is considered a right,
school activities are considered a privilege.

A recent opinion from Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas stated
that random drug testing of students in school activities was a
"reasonably effective means of addressing school drug use."

Novak said programs against drugs and alcohol were losing
effectiveness against peer pressure. Even facing punishment or
suspension from school activities hasn't served as a deterrent, he said.

"It's a problem that is in every school," Morford said. "Look at some
of the surrounding districts, and you'll see. We do have those
problems and this is just one more tool in the box for us to help
kids to succeed."

He said random drug testing could be implemented for several school
activities -- sports, driver's education courses and especially school dances.

Novak said the as-yet unnamed committee would study the feasibility
of testing, whether or not it could include testing for alcohol and
hear from those who believe testing is an invasion of the student's privacy.

"We want to make sure we're not just jumping the gun and have all our
bases covered," Novak said.

Board president Don Clark commended the principals for their interest
in random drug testing.

"I had heard the same rumor and knew there was a concern, which I
think is great," Clark said. "It's time for this. We see these
athletes pushing the limit and my fear is one day we'll have to hire
medical personnel."

Board member Sandy Thierer pointed out that many employers do random
drug screenings and students would face testing when they entered the workforce.