COAHOMA ISD FORUM ON DRUG TESTING TONIGHT

Should the Coahoma Independent School District institute random drug
testing for students?

The public is invited to weigh in on the issue at a forum beginning at
6:30 tonight in the board room of the CISD administration building,
600 Main St.

"We want to give everybody present an opportunity to have their say,"
said CISD Superintendent Dr. Bill Kingston. "We are going to limit the
time of the speakers in order to let everyone participate."

The policy, if enacted, would affect students in the seventh through
12 grades involved in extra-curricular activities and those seeking a
parking permit.

"It has become apparent over the past year or so that illegal use of
drugs and alcohol has increased in the Howard County community, the
Coahoma community and the school community," Kingston said. "It
appears to have effected every segment of the student body including
those particpating in extra-curricular activities."

Kingston said expanding the policy to include students who obtain a
permit to park on campus is in line with addressing the safety issue.

"As we've talked with our attorneys, they've said the court case (a
2002 case in which the Supreme Court upheld drug testing for students
in extra-curricular activities) is based on safety issues," he said.
"We feel like it is a real safety sensitive issue for students who are
driving cars on campus.

"Students have to show proof of driver's license and liability
insurance before being issued a parking permit," Kingston continued.
"It's not something we're obliged to do."

The policy is meant not as a way to catch students, Kingston said, but
as a reason for students to say no to drugs and alcohol.

"This gives them a reason to avoid peer pressure to use drugs and
alcohol," he said.

Kingston said tonight's meeting will be moved to the elementary school
audio/visual room if the board room becomes too crowded.

Coahoma ISD isn't the only Howard County school district considering a
random drug testing policy. On Tuesday, June 8, Big Spring ISD
trustees discussed the topic and gave the go-ahead for administrators
to study it.