SCHOOL DISTRICT MULLS DRUG-TESTING POLICY

NORTHERN CAMBRIA -- The Northern Cambria School Board will continue
to mull a random drug test policy for district students for the next
few months.

Superintendent Thomas Estep said the board is relying on Solicitor
Gary Jubas for legal guidance before adopting a testing policy.

If enacted, it would apply to students driving to school and those
in extracurricular activities.

Of a dozen residents who gave their thoughts at the board's
committee meeting Tuesday, only one opposed the idea.

The remainder strongly supported it. Some even suggested that random
testing also be mandated for teachers and staff.

Deacon Ann Staples, executive director of Coal Country Hangout and
Youth Center, said a support system such as the one provided by her
center is enough to keep students away from drugs.

"I don't think random drug testing is the way to go," Staples told
the board. "Prevention is."

Board member Delvin Lockard said testing would go hand-in-hand with
Staples' efforts.

"(Drug abuse) is a serious problem, and I'd like to start it in
middle school," Lockard said. "My goal is to test everybody."

Jubas said the general student body cannot be randomly tested
because they are protected by Fourth Amendment privacy protections.

Extracurricular activities such as band and football, however, are
considered to be a "privilege" under the law.

Parents would be required to agree to have their child randomly
tested. If they refused, the child could not participate.