News (Media Awareness Project) - US TX: Proposed Drug Policy Receives First Look |
| Title: | US TX: Proposed Drug Policy Receives First Look |
| Published On: | 2005-06-21 |
| Source: | New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung (TX) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-01-16 01:59:05 |
PROPOSED DRUG POLICY RECEIVES FIRST LOOK
The New Braunfels Independent School District Board of Trustees
debated whether a proposed drug policy would hurt the students it was
designed to help.
The NBISD Board of Trustees heard the first reading the policy in a
regular meeting Tuesday night.
The policy calls for random drug testing of students in grades 7
through 12 who participate in school-sponsored extracurricular
activities or obtain a high school parking permit.
The test results will be used to determine eligibility for
extracurricular activities and parking privileges.
The first positive test for alcohol or illegal drugs will earn
students a 30 day suspension from extracurricular competitions and
parking privileges but allows students to participate in
extracurricular practices. A second offense mandates suspension from
extracurricular competitions and parking for one year and restricts
students from practices. A third offense results in permanent
suspension from all activities and parking.
Board member Ed Clark questioned the helpfulness of pulling students
with drug problems out of afterschool activities.
"If we turn around and take a child out of extracurricular
activities, what motivation do they have to continue their
education?" board member Ed Clark said.
Clark also raised the question of whether tobacco would be included
in the test criteria, since like alcohol, tobacco is an illegal
substance for minors.
"Alcohol is a legal drink for a child if a parent is there with
them," Clark argued. "If you include one then you have to include the other."
The board will hear the second reading of the policy Wednesday.
In other business, the board heard from teachers about salary
increase. The board was quick to dispel rumors that some teachers
would be receiving a 3 percent raise while other would receive 4
percent, based on subject area.
"We can expel the idea of an unequal percentage raise," Board
President Jorge Maldonado said.
Further action regarding the raises was postponed pending the outcome
of today's special legislative session.
The New Braunfels Independent School District Board of Trustees
debated whether a proposed drug policy would hurt the students it was
designed to help.
The NBISD Board of Trustees heard the first reading the policy in a
regular meeting Tuesday night.
The policy calls for random drug testing of students in grades 7
through 12 who participate in school-sponsored extracurricular
activities or obtain a high school parking permit.
The test results will be used to determine eligibility for
extracurricular activities and parking privileges.
The first positive test for alcohol or illegal drugs will earn
students a 30 day suspension from extracurricular competitions and
parking privileges but allows students to participate in
extracurricular practices. A second offense mandates suspension from
extracurricular competitions and parking for one year and restricts
students from practices. A third offense results in permanent
suspension from all activities and parking.
Board member Ed Clark questioned the helpfulness of pulling students
with drug problems out of afterschool activities.
"If we turn around and take a child out of extracurricular
activities, what motivation do they have to continue their
education?" board member Ed Clark said.
Clark also raised the question of whether tobacco would be included
in the test criteria, since like alcohol, tobacco is an illegal
substance for minors.
"Alcohol is a legal drink for a child if a parent is there with
them," Clark argued. "If you include one then you have to include the other."
The board will hear the second reading of the policy Wednesday.
In other business, the board heard from teachers about salary
increase. The board was quick to dispel rumors that some teachers
would be receiving a 3 percent raise while other would receive 4
percent, based on subject area.
"We can expel the idea of an unequal percentage raise," Board
President Jorge Maldonado said.
Further action regarding the raises was postponed pending the outcome
of today's special legislative session.
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