PISD ANNOUNCES MANDATORY DRUG-TESTING POLICY MEETINGS

Palestine -- As part of Palestine Independent School District's
student drug-testing policy, administrators are hosting two
informational meetings this month in the high school/middle school
cafeteria.

Scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and 6:30 p.m. Aug. 21, the meetings
serve as a way to inform parents and students about the drug-testing
policy and procedures.

According to information provided by PISD, all students in grades 6
through 12 who plan to participate in extra-curricular activities
such as band, athletics or academic University Interscholastic League
(UIL) events and any student who plans to park an automobile on
campus must attend one of the two meetings.

"The whole purpose of this policy is to help our students have a
safe, drug-free environment at school," PISD's Administrative
Assistant to the Superintendent Suzanne Eiben said in a previous
interview. "We want the parent to understand what is going on with
their students."

The PISD Board of Trustees adopted the student drug-testing policy at
a September 2005 meeting. The board also contracted with T.H.E. LAB
of Tyler to conduct the testing at that time.

The policy states that drug testing is required of any student in
grades 6-12 who chooses to participate in school-sponsored
extracurricular activities or plans to park a vehicle on campus.

Before the student is allowed to participate in any extracurricular
activities or park a vehicle on campus, the student, and their parent
or guardian must sign a consent form agreeing to be subject to the
rules and procedures of the drug-testing program.

If appropriate consent is not given, the student shall not be allowed
to participate in extracurricular activities or park a vehicle on
campus.

Consent forms will be available to sign at the meetings.

For more information call PISD 903-731-8000.