GIRARD MULLS DRUG TEST POLICY

GIRARD -- A conversation has begun that may one day lead to a
drug-testing policy at Girard High School.

During Thursday's USD 248 Board of Education meeting, GHS Principal
Blaise Bauer told the board that he, the school staff and members of
the student body particularly, the student council have been
discussing the possibility of creating a random drug-testing policy
for students who participate in extracurricular activities.

No specifics have been determined, as the idea is in its early stages.
The board took no official action on the matter Thursday night.

Bauer said the reasoning behind the idea is not to punish students who
may be using illegal drugs, but rather to encourage all students to
make "healthy decisions."

"Our goal is to help students, not punish them," he
said.

Bauer laid out on Thursday some of the positive and negative feelings
about a testing policy among students and staff. Among the pros were
that such a policy would discourage students from using drugs and that
it would create a "safer, cleaner" image for the school and the district.

However, there are also concerns that by implementing a policy for
those students who participate in extracurricular activities sports
and FFA, for example some students may be discouraged from
participating in such activities.

"What we don't want is a loss in participation," Bauer
said.

There is also the matter of cost. Bauer said it would likely cost more
than $5,000 to start the program, and between $3,000 and $5,000 each
year to maintain it. In today's economy and with state funding for
education being constantly slashed, the program may not be financially
feasible anytime soon.

In a preliminary survey, only 28 percent of GHS staff said they would
support a testing policy, while 25 percent said they would not. The
other 47 percent said they are undecided. Bauer said most of those who
are undecided reported that they want to see a specific policy before
choosing to support it.

"They have a hard time supporting something until they know what
they're looking at," he said. "But I'll say this, there is not a staff
member in that building who doesn't support policies that could help
students."

Bauer said he's in favor of a drug-testing policy, so long as the
proper measures are taken to ensure that the district, school and
Girard community are on board. He said such a policy could go a long
way toward helping students make better life decisions.

Board member Dale Shireman expressed full support for a testing
policy, adding that he "hopes we move forward with this." Other board
members, however, said they would like more time to mull over some
information presented to them before fully endorsing the idea.
Superintendent Gary Snawder said the issue is "not something we should
rush into."

The matter will likely be revisited at the next board meeting.