FORUM TO DISCUSS DRUG-TEST PROPOSAL

Walton-Verona school officials have set a public forum for 7 p.m. Oct.
5 to talk about a proposed drug-testing policy for athletes. The
district would be the latest in Northern Kentucky to test student
athletes, if it approves a proposed drug-testing policy.

In 2002 the U.S. Supreme Court approved random drug tests for students
who join competitive after-school activities or teams, but some
Northern Kentucky districts have tested athletes since the mid-1990s.

The forum at the Walton-Verona High School will be part of a Parent
Teacher Student Association meeting and open house.

School board members talked last week about the drug-testing proposal,
but tabled action until the district provides more details on
logistics, including the most economical and effective way to conduct
the tests, said Superintendent Bill Boyle.

"We're just in a holding pattern right now to get better information,"
he said.

The forum will allow the district and school board to hear more public
comments on the proposal.

A drug policy could affect about 280 student athletes at
Walton-Verona, or about half the student body, Boyle said.

Students would be tested as a condition of joining an athletic team
and then randomly thereafter.