KISD TO IMPLEMENT NEW DRUG TESTING POLICY

The Kilgore Independent School District Board of Trustees and Jody
Clements, superintendent, are looking at a new drug policy for the
district.

Clements said he spoke with the board Tuesday night at their regularly
scheduled board meeting about establishing a policy on drug testing for
extracurricular activities.

"Almost all school districts now have this type of policy in place," said
Clements.

The new policy will require all students who wish to participate in
extracurricular activities - this means sports, Ag. Club, cheerleading,
any activity approved or sponsored by the school - will have to take an
initial drug test.

"After the initial test, there will be three random tests throughout the
school year," Clements said. "Those students who are not participating in
any extracurricular activities do not have to take the test." Clements
said this is a very confidential procedure to safeguard the privacy of the
students.

"Any student who fails a test, the results are given to the parents and
school administrators, no one else," said Clements.

The program defines three different violations. The first violation
results in a 30-day suspension from the activity or activities the student
is involved in, plus drug counseling, said Clements.

The second violation will result in a one-year suspension from all
extracurricular activities and drug counseling. The third violation
results in the student no being allowed an any more extra curricular
activities while at KISD, the superintendent said.

Clements said the board will vote on the new policy at their next meeting
in January, but the program will not take effect until funding has been
obtained.

"We are looking at grants from different organizations in the Kilgore
area," said Clements. "If funding is not available, the school district
will look at funding the program through its normal budget process next
year."

The program is expensive as it will cost approximately $100,000 a year to
operate, said Clements.

"The initial start-up, testing each student is the greatest expense," said
Clements. "Any student who declines to take the test will be banned from
extracurricular activities and if a student decides halfway through the
school year to join a program, the student must then submit to a drug test
before beginning the activity."

In other board news, Clements reported to the board that the final campus
ratings were in for the 2007/2008 school year and all campuses finished
with a "Acceptable" rating.

Also, trustees approved a Code of Conduct for the school board. Clements
said this was done so each board member would have rules to follow in
given situations, such as having a parent contact them direct, basically
what to do and what not to do as a board member.

Clements also announced to the board on Monday night that Kilgore High
School will be going from one dual credit class being taught on the KHS
campus to four, starting next year. "Kilgore College will provide the
instructors for these classes," said Clements.