PISD BOARD HEARS DRUG TESTING REPORt

PALESTINE -- Palestine Independent School District trustees heard and
approved the district's 2006-07 student drug testing report during the
board's regular meeting Monday.

Assistant Superintendent Suzanne Eiben reported that 35 students were
tested at the middle school, with none testing positive for drugs. At
the high school, 595 students were tested, with 19 testing positive
for drugs.

Eiben reminded the board that any time a student signed a refusal for
testing, it was automatically considered a positive and the student
would have to be retested at every administration.

"Seven of the 19 positive reports were students refusals," Eiben
explained. "And refusal by the same student is counted as an
additional positive test result each time there is a refusal.

"All other positives were indications of marijuana," Eiben said. "And
as far as I know, none of those tested a second time came up positive
again."

Eiben told trustees that she felt the drug testing program, started in
September of 2005, was a very good program for the kids.

"I have gone to the middle school and talked to the students there,"
she said. "They have been pretty receptive to the program, asking a
lot of questions.

"Parents have been willing to work with us too, especially in getting
the student help if they need it."

In other business, the board:

* APPROVED issuance of a deed without warranty for whatever property
PISD has claim on at the site of the Montalba Methodist Church in Montalba.

PISD Superintendent Jerry Mayo explained to the board that the action
was needed to allow the Montalba Community Improvement Association to
make improvements to the property for community use.

"The property was once used for the Montalba school, which merged with
PISD several years ago," Mayo explained. "There is not a clear deed on
the property, so this would be the next best step relinquishing our
rights, if there are any, on the land."

* DISCUSSED, but took no action, on the purchase of the Washington
school property by an investor, Justin Hilton, who has developed other
properties in the area.

After hearing a report on the matter from a local realtor, board
members wanted to look into the issue further, assuring members of the
community they would be kept informed about any decision made.

* APPROVED a resolution for budget amendments.

The resolution, which must be approved annually, allows the district
business office to complete line item budget transfers without board
approval, as long as the amendments do not change the overall budget.

* APPROVED designation of special education as an acute shortage of
teaching area.

The designation, Eiben explained, allowed retired teachers in that
teaching field to return to teaching.

* APPROVED a contract with The Summit Health and Rehab Services for
district occupational therapy services.

* APPROVED the PDAS calendar and list of approved
appraisers.

* APPROVED a contract with Anderson County for the Nov. 6 election.