DRUG SCREENS CONSIDERED FOR STUDENTS IN PIEDMONT

PIEDMONT - School Superintendent Mike Hyatt says random drug testing for
Piedmont students who participate in school-sponsored extracurricular
activities is worth the cost if it prevents students from getting hooked
for life. Hyatt said he hopes the school board will approve a screening
policy similar to the one adopted earlier this month by the Yukon School
District.

If the proposal is adopted, students who participate in activities such as
athletics, music and cheerleading will be subject to random testing. A
written policy and contract proposal could be presented to the board by the
Nov. 8 regular meeting, Hyatt said.

Costs would be about $11 per test, or $8,000 to $10,000 per school year, he
said.

"I feel like this is a minimal amount to help us prevent kids from using
drugs," Hyatt said. "This is not intended to catch kids and punish kids.
"It's another avenue for kids to say no. For borderline or casual users,
it's another reason not to submit to peer pressure."

At its Oct. 11 meeting, the school board listened to a presentation from
Compliance Resource Group of Oklahoma City, which screens students in Yukon.

Hyatt said school officials first considered student drug testing last
summer because of concerns expressed by community members.

"We felt like the time is right," Hyatt said. "It's not that we've had any
major instances at school, but we've had concerns about actions parents
hear about on weekends."

In Yukon, parents are contacted if their child tests positive. The student
is suspended from school activities for 10 days and must complete four
hours of counseling before returning to the activity.

The student then is required to submit a urine sample each month for the
remainder of the school year. If the student tests positive for drugs, the
student is suspended from after-school activities for a minimum of 88 days.

Contributing: Sarah Kahne