NO DRUG TESTING FOR SEDALIA KIDS

Sedalia students will not be drug tested.

The Board of Education voted against drug testing students involved
in extracurricular and co-curricular activities 4-2 Monday night.
Board members Jim Waldo and Jeffrey Sharp voted for testing.

"I think it's a valid concept that could be implemented and I think
it would positively impact our students," Dr. Sharp said. "I think it
would lead to a reduction of drug use in our student population."

Mr. Waldo said the school district has programs to educate students
about the perils of drug use but lacks a deterrent. He said drug
testing could be that deterrent.

"This is our opportunity to do something to make a difference in our
community," he said.

Board member Scott Gardner, an attorney, said the district needs to
prove its drug awareness programs aren't working before creating a
testing policy. He said he was concerned the district could face
lawsuits if it drug tests students.

Superintendent Doug Ebersold said testing students could help deter
those from drugs who have trouble making that decision for
themselves. However, he said the district cannot make all the
decisions for its students.

"I think we need to teach responsibility," Dr. Ebersold said.

The board discussed creating a drug testing policy following the
results of a survey of 162 Smith-Cotton High School students in May.
Fifty-five percent of the students favored testing only student athletes.