SCHOOL BOARD MOVES CLOSER TO DRUG TESTING

ACLU Representative Urgest Voluntary Testing; Board Will Examine Cost and
Funding July 8

Student athletes will likely be required to take drug tests next year after
the Templeton school board took a definitive step toward instituting a drug
policy Thursday.

The board is scheduled to make a final decision July 8 on whether to begin
requiring students to submit urine samples for the beginning of the school
year and to take part in random drug tests throughout the year. But district
Athletic Director Phil James said the boards discussion Thursday indicated a
step toward the policy.

"It sounds like its a go," James said. "Something will happen for the
betterment of the kids."

The evening was not without debate as some at the meeting, including Hank
Alberts of the San Luis Obispo American Civil Liberties Union, urged the
board to consider privacy issues when considering a mandatory drug testing
policy. Alberts asked the board to pursue a voluntary testing program.

Others, such as Templeton parent Beth Walker, urged the district to
concentrate its funds on programs that are already in place that could help
curb student drug use, such as elementary school counseling.

But board members appeared in support of the drug testing idea, and at least
one said he would support the mandatory program as proposed by the Templeton
High School Athletic Department.

"I cant think of a better way to spend money if it is going to save kids
(from drugs)," said board member David LaRue.

The question of how much money it would cost the district, and where the
funding may come from will come back before the board June 8. In the
meantime, district officials will look at some of the details of the plan,
including how to handle students who do test positive and what specific
drugs will be included in the testing.

District officials say the program is modeled after a similar one begun last
year at Shandon middle and high schools, which became the first in the
county to establish a mandatory drug-testing program for student athletes.