POLK SCHOOLS EXPAND DRUG-TESTING POLICY FOR ACTIVITIES

BARTOW - For the first time, Polk County high school students face the
possibility of random drug and alcohol testing if they are involved in
competitive extracurricular activities.

The Polk County School Board approved that policy change and others
following a public hearing Tuesday during the board meeting in Bartow.

According to Audrey Kelley-Fritz, the senior manager of prevention,
health and wellness for Polk County Public Schools, the implementation
of the new drug and alcohol tests was mandated by the U.S. Department
of Education.

She said the school district had previously engaged in testing only
those students who participated in sports activities. That policy was
implemented five years ago.

Now, testing will expand to include students who participate in
activities that involve some kind of competition, something in which a
first-, second- and third-place award is presented, Kelley-Frtiz said.

During the public hearing portion of the meeting, parent Pattie Shirey
said it isn't fair to test every student involved in an
extracurricular activity.

"It's a privacy issue. It's a violation of our civil rights," Shirey
said.

School Board Attorney Wes Bridges said the policy is not a violation
of civil rights.

The students who are tested are those who "elect to go outside their
course of study," he said.

Shirey's 18-year-old son, Nathan Weber, who attends Tenoroc High
School, is involved in Future Farmers of America. He brought home
forms that explain the testing policy and was told he needed to sign
it.

Weber said some of members of his FFA group have already left the
organization because they believe the policy is an invasion of privacy.

Kelley-Fritz said the basic purpose of the policy is to keep students
from using drugs and alcohol.

She said her office tests about 3,000 Polk public school athletes
every year. With students in extracurricular activities included, she
said she is hoping to test close to 5,000 students next year.

If a student is caught violating the policy, on first offense the
student will be suspended from participating in the extracurricular
activity and will be assigned to the Drug Free-Schools Assessment Program.

The forms explaining the testing policy have been released to all Polk
County schools to distribute to students and parents. Both parties are
required to sign the form before a student can participate in any
competitive activity.

Drug testing will occur randomly using a numerical selection process
in which each competitive student's name and identity remain unknown
until the selection is completed, according to the policy. The policy
will take effect when all high schools have turned in all required
forms, Frtiz said.