TRUSTEES APPROVE DRUG TESTING PLAN

A plan to randomly test Katy Independent School District students for drugs
and alcohol was approved Monday night by trustees.

The plan calls for all students who participate in extracurricular
activities, including driving to school, be a part of the drug testing pool.

The broad scope, according to school officials, takes-in about a third of
the estimated 12,000 high school students in the district.

Earlier this year, trustees discussed easing into a drug testing program,
beginning first with student-athletes. Officials agreed student-athletes who
abuse drugs and alcohol were most at-risk for harming themselves and others.

As the plan began to evolve, however, it moved beyond playing fields and
into classrooms and the parking lot.

For the most part, the plan has been well received by the Katy ISD
community. Trustees did hear from one parent Monday night, however, who
disagreed with the proposal.

Rod Oxford, who has three sons in Katy ISD schools, said he opposed the plan
citing a lack of confidentiality and the potential for students to be
labeled as drug users.

"I am against drugs. I fear drugs more than anything else for my children,"
he said.

He said the plan allowed too many school officials access to test results
and greatly increased the chances of being leaked. "It (testing) will label
some of the students as drug abusers . . . it fails to provide anything for
these children who need help and treatment," he said.

Oxford's comments were followed by three others who backed the plan,
including Randy Couch. He told trustees "I wish you had the drug plan in
place when my second son was in school."

Couch alluded to his son's drug problem saying he received professional
counseling, has been drug-free for two years and is studying at a
university.

Couch added he removed his daughter from public schools, in part, because of
the potential drug problem. With the drug testing plan now in place, he said
he would feel comfortable putting his daughter back in Katy ISD.

Under the plan, students who participate in extracurricular activities would
have to agree to be in the testing pool. Students will be selected at random
and urine samples will be screened for more than a dozen drugs including
steroids, cocaine, marijuana, speed and a host of others.

Parents or guardians of those who test positive will be notified. Those who
test positive will be suspended from extracurricular activities for three
weeks, during which the student will undergo weekly testing. If all test
results are negative, the student will allowed to return to the activity.

Second offenders must seek counseling either through the school district or
a private provider and will be forced to sit out extra curricular activities
for six weeks. Weekly testing also will apply during the suspension period.

Third offenders must seek counseling, will be suspended from activities for
one calendar year from the date of the confirmation of the third test and
will be subjected to weekly testing. Third time offenders also must attend
practice, but, will not be allowed to participate.