SCHOOL CHIEF EYES RANDOM DRUG TESTING

School Board Debates Need For Policy In City

If Richmond's school chief has his way, the city school district would
be the first in the area to randomly test employees for drugs and
alcohol abuse.

Superintendent Albert J. Williams last night proposed to the Richmond
School Board that 1 percent of the system's 4,300 employees get tested
each month. "Within 48 hours of the board passing this, I am prepared
to have every member of the cabinet tested," he said as officers of
the Richmond Education Association groaned.

Williams asked the board to vote on the measure at its next meeting,
Oct. 19.

"Has anyone objected to this?" asked board member David
Baugh.

"I asked the REA to pass comments on to me about this, but I never
heard anything," said Vice Chairman Larry Olanrewaju.

Julian Ferras, REA's executive director, said a response would be
ready by next week. "We're having legal staff look at it. We're very
concerned," he said. Baugh questioned the need for the policy. "Are we
having a problem . . . with our employees coming to school crocked?"
he asked.

"If we can give our parents greater security that it's not happening,"
why not do so, Williams replied.

About 10 percent of the district's bus drivers are tested on a random
basis monthly at a cost of $39 per employee as required by federal
law. No figures were available on the cost for the proposed policy.

Human Resources Director Harold Fitrer said one reason for the
proposal stemmed from a study that found one out of five Virginians
has a problem with substance abuse. "We should just take a proactive
stance. We have a zero tolerance for our students, and we should have
zero tolerance for our employees."

"Such testing is mostly symbolic with a price tag, and is an invasion
of privacy," Baugh said. "Telling people to line up in front of the
cup is offensive."

But Olanrewaju said that without testing, the district really doesn't
know whether substance abuse among employees is a problem.

What problems do exist, as far as the employees are concerned, were
made clear hours before the board's discussion on the proposed policy.

Dozens of teachers, bus drivers, custodians, food workers and other
school employees jammed the meeting to cheer on a dozen speakers
demanding better wages and working conditions.

Many members of the standing-room crowd had marched outside in the
rain before the meeting to draw attention to their suggestions to
improve schools.

"Ten years ago I remember marching in a rally similar to this one
asking for some of the same things, and it hasn't gotten any better,"
said Lola McDowell, her voice hoarse from bronchitis. "Things are
getting worse, and they're not listening to our needs," said the
Woodville kindergarten teacher.

"I've been with food services for five years," said Jannie Mosby.
"After taxes I bring home $226. My hourly salary is $6.41" and a major
reason cafeteria workers are leaving for jobs at fast-food
restaurants, said Mosby, who marched with her 15-year-old daughter,
Crystal.

Many of the speakers talked about the need to remove disruptive
students from the classroom. Employees also urged that loyalty and
longevity be recognized and rewarded.

Roger Gray, REA president, presented proposals on compensation and working
conditions for next year's budget. They:

include a pay increase of at least 6 percent for teachers and support
personnel such as bus drivers and food service workers;

include a $32,000 starting salary for teachers;

provide fully contracted and licensed substitute teachers;

give school employees the authority to remove disruptive students from
classes, buses or other work areas; and

create individual professional development accounts of at least $800
per employee and allow each person to select the training most
appropriate.

"We believe that enactment of these proposals, through inclusion in
next year's budget and through policy changes, will produce improved
working conditions . . . [and] improve the learning environment," Gray
said.