NISD APPROVES DRUG TESTS

NEDERLAND - Students and parents will face a new decision in the
2005-2006 school year after Nederland Independent School District
trustees approved random drug testing for student drivers on campus
and students involved in extracurricular activities in the seventh
through 12th grades.

At the end of the 2003-2004 school year, Superintendent Gail Krohn
said staff saw a significant increase in drug and alcohol offenses in
the district.

"At the end of last year, we had 31 offenses. At the beginning of this
school year, we had 11 offenses in the first two weeks," Krohn said.

Drug problems in schools are now centered around the illegal use of
prescription medications, which stems from children taking
amphetamines for disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder. Other students decide to experiment with the drugs and are
then affected differently.

Krohn said this type of problem is now nationwide. After staff added
an option for drug offenders to take mandatory drug testing and the
district went to the community for help, Krohn said they decided to
consider random drug testing again.

The board considered this issue about three years ago but decided to
wait for court decisions. After court cases rendered a decision, the
constitutionality of random drug testing was deemed appropriate for
student drivers and those involved in extracurricular activities.

The drug testing policy also allows for voluntary drug testing for
students who do not fall into either category.

The policy states both student and parent or guardian must agree to
the voluntary testing, and the agreement can be withdrawn at any time.

Michael Guidry, assistant superintendent of curriculum for NISD, said
if the agreement is withdrawn, school officials will sit down with
both the parents and student to determine reasons for withdrawal.

Guidry said at the beginning of the school year, each student will
receive an Extracurricular Activity Intent Form, which will define
extracurricular activities and give a copy of the policy.

Once a student and parent agree to the testing, the form is good for
the student's entire career. A new form will be filled out only when
the student enters seventh and ninth grade because paperwork between
the middle schools and high schools could be potentially difficult to
track.

To begin the testing, consultant Dr. Harvey Graves said a random pool
of students will be selected and then testing will be done at the school.

For students already on medication, Graves said the student will not
give that information to the testers. Instead, if a positive result is
found, the student's parents are called and then a prescription can be
provided to clear the student of wrongdoing.

However, after one positive test result, the student will be charged
with a first offense with a 30-day suspension from their activities
and driving along with counseling and additional drug tests. After a
second offense, a student will receive a 120-day suspension from
activities and driving along with more counseling and drug tests. If
charged with a third offense, the student will be permanently
suspended from all activities and driving.

Graves said based on history, districts usually find an unexpectedly
high rate of positive drug tests, but positive results will wane over
the next three years.

Testing will cost the district around $30,000 per school year, Krohn
said. Any additional testing after a first offense will be paid for by
parents.