DRUG TESTING CONSIDERED BY CUHS BOARD

Random drug testing may be considered in the Central Union High School
District.

During Tuesday's board meeting district Superintendent Dick Fragale said he
thinks random drug testing would benefit El Centro's high schools.

"I just would like to give some food for thought that you might want to
consider following Brawley's lead in that area," he said.

The Brawley Union High School District board is considering adopting a
random drug-testing policy. Only students involved in extracurricular
activities would be tested.

Fragale made reference to an Associated Press article in this newspaper
Tuesday about 40 Modesto high school students arrested in drug busts at
their schools.

There are drugs at every high school and those who think otherwise are
"ostriches with their heads in the sand," he said.

Fragale asked the board if he could research drug testing and place the
issue on the agenda for a future board meeting.

"Well, we don't follow Brawley in anything," said board President Steve Walker.

Looking at the other board members, he joked, "I think most of us are
against drugs in schools."

The board agreed to discuss the issue in the near future.

A routine action item on the agenda turned into a lengthy discussion.

Board members were set to approve an increase in developer fees when they
realized they may be able to ask for more.

The state Education Code authorizes school districts to charge a fee
against any developer for the construction or reconstruction of school
facilities, as long as the district can justify the fee.

In January, the State Allocation Board increased the maximum developer fee
to 69 cents per square foot for residential construction and 36 cents per
square foot for commercial construction.

Fragale said Target didn't pay the district the fees it owed -- which
totaled about $13,000 -- until the district asked for the money.

Trustee Lee Hindman said the district needs to make sure it is receiving
the money it is owed from new developments.

"We have to stay on top of it," he said. "For some reason we don't get the
information from the city."

The board tabled presenting a report on the fiscal impact of unifying the
El Centro Elementary School District and CUHSD. The item will be discussed
at the next board meeting May 4.