NEW DRUG TESTING POLICY UP FOR APPROVAL MONDAY

Not only is the Marshall Independent School District board reviewing a
new drug testing policy in a meeting Monday, but members will also
consider approval of an Interlocal Cooperation agreement between city
of Marshall and the school district to employ at least one "canine
unit" on campus to detect drugs and/or explosive materials.

A "canine unit" would consist of a licensed police officer/handler and
a trained dog.

The board meets at 5 p.m. in the administration building.

The new drug policy was slated for board discussion in July, but was
pushed back due to the absence of MISD Assistant Superintendent of
Instruction Jimmy Wall, who was one of the proposal's originators.
Superintendent Ralph Draper said in July's meeting he desired some
clarification only Wall could give, so the board voted to put the
policy up for approval Monday.

If approved, junior and senior high athletes will be tested. Any
student in extracurricular activities could be required to take a
urinalysis. Students would be tested for amphetamines, barbiturates,
benzodiazepines, cocaine, methaqualone, opiates (codeine, morphine,
etc.), phencyclidine (PCP), and tetrahydrocannabinols
(marijuana).

The plan is to test a minimum of 15 students at least five times a
year at $30 per test and $50 for travel for each of the five test
dates, which is a total of $2,500.