CAMERON ISD OKAYS DRUG TESTING FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES 7 TO 12

All seventh through 12th graders involved in Cameron ISD
extracurricular activities will have a new kind of test to pass this
year--a drug test.

Cameron ISD trustees approved testing at its meeting last week. Supt.
Maxie Morgan said the tests were approved out of love for the children
and to show the community the board wants to help eliminate drug
problems in the community.

Testing, now done routinely at some larger school districts, don't
come cheap. The Cameron Herald reported that CISD trustees have
budgeted $36,000 over two years for the tests. Positive tests also
cost more than negative ones because a follow-up from the testing
company is required.

Students who fail one test will be summoned to a parent-student-counselor
conference and be suspended for six weeks from extracurricular activities.

If a student fails a second test, they will be suspended from those
activities and competitions for a year and complete a drug-counseling
program and agree to future testing.

A third or more offense will require professional signatures to and an
agreement for future testing.

Rockdale ISD Superintendent Walter Pond said the local district has
discussed the subject but there has been no big public demand for drug
testing of students.

"We've discussed it among ourselves many times but have not felt
compelled to institute anything like that," Pond said Tuesday.

But RISD trustees will keep an eye north of the river and see what
effect it has on the neighboring district.