DRUG TESTS TO BEGIN THIS SPRING

Private Pledges May Help Pay To Screen Athletes

GASTONIA -- Gaston County school board members decided Monday to push
forward with plans to test student athletes for drugs, despite the county
commissioners' decision last week not to pay for it.

In separate actions, the board voted to schedule the first round of drug
tests this spring and to ask the Gaston County Educational Foundation to
channel donations pledged by private citizens to pay for the tests.

"Our coaches and athletic directors feel we have the need," board chairman
Annette Carter said.

It will cost $13,400 per year to test 10 percent of Gaston County's 3,200
student athletes. The schools will spend about $5,400 to test athletes who
are trying out for spring sports such as baseball, girls' soccer and boys'
tennis.

The pledges from private citizens came after Gaston commissioner Greg Cox
offered to forfeit his $11,706 salary to pay for the test. It was Cox who
asked the school board last summer to consider launching the testing program.

Most of Monday night's debate centered on whether private funding is a good
idea.

Board member James Davison questioned whether collecting private donations
to carry out a school board-approved policy would open "a Pandora's box."
He suggested a plan that would allow the board to pay for the tests out of
the school system's budget.

Jennifer Davis, another board member, voted against the funding plan
because she didn't want to limit the options to the Educational Foundation,
a group that raises money for the schools but operates separately. She said
she nevertheless supports drug testing.

"This provides students with another way to just say no and not

Please see BOARD / page 5L

This goes on page 5L Gaston schools to begin drug tests for athletes this
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cave into peer pressure," Davis said.

Board member John Eaker reversed his earlier opposition to the tests and
voted for the policy. The only no vote about the policy itself came from
board member Brenda Hamilton.

Under the policy, about 10 percent of Gaston's athletes will be tested for
illegal drugs including marijuana, cocaine and PCP. About 1 percent will be
tested for steroids, and 2 percent will be tested for alcohol.

Athletes and their parents must agree to the tests when they sign up to
play. The players to be tested will be chosen at random.

Refusal to take the test could lead to a suspension and eventual ouster
from the teams. Those who flunk the test the first time -- which will be
administered by a physician-supervised technician -- will have to miss one
or two games, but still be allowed to practice.

The penalties grow with second and third offenses.

Gaston's drug testing program is one of the state's most extensive and
stringent. Its rules were written to conform with court decisions that
allow the testing of students who voluntarily take part in extracurriculars
such as sports.

"I think you have a program that is legal," said Reeves McGlohan, a deputy
superintendent. "I think you have a program that is needed. I think you
have a program that is workable."

The commissioners voted last week not to fund the drug tests, citing
concerns that the tests would humiliate athletes and violate their rights.

Julia Shovelin, Gaston schools attorney, told the school board Monday night
that the testing program wouldn't violate student rights because it was
designed to protect athletes' health and safety.

The test results will not become a part of a student's academic record, nor
will it result in suspension or expulsion from school -- only athletic
eligibility.

Reach Chip Wilson at (704) 868-7743 or chwilson@charlotte.com