DRUG-TESTING POLICY DECISION POSTPONED

Several other policies approved by Lebanon school board

The Lebanon school board wants detailed cost information before it makes a
decision on drug-testing Lebanon High School student athletes or all
students involved in extracurricular activities.

Several other policies were approved at Monday night's meeting.

For the second time in the last several weeks, board members looked over two
alternative proposed policies that would allow the district to drug-test all
students involved in athletics and/or activities prior to their
participation. As during the previous discussion, the high cost of testing
was a barrior to approval.

In the end, the board asked Superintendent Jim Robinson to obtain costs for
random drug testing during each sports season and bring it back to the next
board meeting Aug. 16.

Robinson estimated that about half the 1,200 to 1,300 students at the school
participate in some kind of activity, including sports.

The cost will vary with the number of drugs tested for and percentage of
students to be tested, said Assistant Superintendent Steve Williams after
the meeting.

Board member William Barish, a physician, said pre-participation drug tests
would cost thousands of dollars.

The district already has a random drug-testing program for bus drivers. The
federal government requires all drivers who hold a commercial driving
license participate in such tests on a random basis.

Robinson said very few districts use pre-participation drug tests.

Board member Sherrie Sprenger said she wants the district policy to follow
"very closely" the legal precedent set by other districts to reduce
liability to challenges.

Among policies adopted by the board were these:

Activities may be reduced or discontinued due to financial or other reasons.
The board may grant permission to community groups to raise money for
activities that have been reduced or discontinued, but must keep in mind
Title IX requirements for equal educational opportunities for all students.

The district will use a photo identification badge system to identify
employees in emergency situations and to visitors on school campuses.

The district may withhold records, including grade reports and diplomas, of
students or former students who owe fees, fines or damages of $50 or more
and may withhold records of students or former students who owe less than
$50. The district may waive the fees under certain circumstances. Parents
will be notified. The policy covers unreturned books.

In addition, to filing a criminal complaint, the district may withhold
records, including grade reports and diplomas, of students who fail to make
restitution after vandalizing or stealing school property.

The superintendent may request that the Oregon Department of Transportation
suspend a student's driver's license or permit if the student possesses, is
under the influence of, uses or delivers a controlled substance on school
property or at a school-sponsored event. The policy previously was used with
students who had an excessive number of unexcused absences.

For violating Oregon Student Activities Association rules, an employee may
be dismissed from interscholastic activities and from employment with the
district, a student may be dismissed from participation in activities or
expelled, and volunteer may be removed from participation in activities.
This applies to following fundamental values of sportsmanship.