SCHOOL DRUG TESTING 'POSTPONED INDEFINITELY'

Go-Slow Is Still The Plan For Student Drug Testing In Wharton Schools.

At Tuesday night's school board meetings, trustees again discussed the
issue, but decided this isn't yet the time for action.

The agenda called for "consideration and possible approval of
proceeding with development of student drug testing policy."

But trustees decided they weren't far enough along to even "proceed
with development."

Instead, they voted to "indefinitely postpone" development of a
policy.

"I feel that there is still a lack of understanding on the part of
many people about the difference in what current policy and statute
allows for in terms of drug/alcohol use on school property and what
their understanding is related to a proposed policy for testing
students involved in extra-curricular activities," Supt. Don Hillis
told trustees.

Discipline policies already in place strictly forbid alcohol or drugs
on school property. But urine testing could determine whether a
student had used certain drugs over a relatively long period.

But the big issue is what would happen if tests came back positive --
that the student had indeed used drugs. Would the student be punished
for something done off campus? Would the school district be
responsible for providing counseling or treatment if it became aware
of such abuse?

"There's a big range in what schools are doing," Hillis said
Friday.

"Some schools just do testing when physicals are given. Others do
random testing every month. There's just a big range."

And the more tests given, the more the cost.

But Hillis says the cost for counseling or other treatment could dwarf
the testing cost.

"There's still an interest in the topic. I feel sure the board will
look at it some more."