DRUG-SNIFFING DOG PLAN FOR SLO COASTAL SNUFFED

School Board Opts For Study In Lieu Of Searches Or Random Testing

Rather than institute searches by drug-sniffing dogs or random drug
testing of athletes and others, San Luis Coastal school board members
decided to set a special study session on drug use in the community
and local schools.

It was clear at a Tuesday night meeting that the issue of random drug
testing and searches made a majority of the board queasy. "There is
a drug test we already give called assessment," board member Walt
Millar said, pointing out that the board finds in its expulsion
hearings that drug use is often

tied to declining grades and test scores.

The board on Tuesday was to consider a plan to use drug-sniffing dogs
for searches, but staff told the board that the state Attorney
General's Office in 2000 issued an opinion that school administrators
"may not" implement such a policy.

The second proposal random drug testing of students in
extracurricular activities has historically better withstood legal challenges.

Board members Kathryn Eisendrath-Rogers and Mark Buchman clearly
wanted testing to at least be considered as an option for dealing
with the drug problem.

They both mentioned the countywide Healthy Kids Survey. Eighteen
percent of the district freshmen surveyed reported using marijuana at
least once, while 42 percent of the juniors said they had used it.

But after discussion, Buchman said that he liked the idea of dialogue
before any decision, while Eisendrath- Rogers said she would like to
see a decision at the end of any forum.

Board member Marilyn Rodger said she doubted she would support random testing.

She said it would turn off students who come to school specifically
for sports and may not be interested in academics and other aspects of school.

Staff said that the forum the board wants could be put into place by
November. Board members suggested that teachers, parents, students,
doctors and others address what they emphasized is a community problem.