SCHOOLS MAY GET DRUG DOG

SANFORD - An increasing drug problem in local public schools has the Lee
County Board of Education taking a serious look at purchasing a
drug-sniffing dog for use on its campuses.

The board voted 7-0 on Monday to have Superintendent Barry Aycock look into
the cost of obtaining a drug-sniffing dog and report back to the board at
its December meeting.

Board member Ruth Gurtis brought the subject up at Monday evening's
meeting. It was not on the agenda. She said that, according to school
district Central Office reports and newspaper accounts, there is "a
significant increase in very young children, ages 12-14, having drugs on
campuses with the intent to sell." The increase in the presence of drugs on
campus is part of an increase of drugs in the county, she said.

"We do have a drug problem," Gurtis said.

Gurtis pointed out that the board has talked about doing everything it can
to discourage drugs on campus, including getting a drug-sniffing dog, but
has not budgeted for the dog. Information provided to the board about two
months ago put the price of a dog and training at about $13,000.

Board Chairman Jim Womack said there was a degree of urgency to find funds
for the dog. Other board members agreed. Aycock will look for grants to
cover the cost.

In other business, the board instructed Aycock to meet with the new high
school design committee in November to come up with a revised specification
list for the project.

Lee County Commissioners had authorized the expenditure of $19.3 million
for the new high school. The lowest bid received was $20.2 million, so the
architect and contractor made up a list of items and specifications that
could be deleted. The list included items such as computer cabinetry and
irrigation for the football field.

Noting the "good faith" effort of the school district to reduce the cost,
the commissioners voted Oct. 27 to increase their funding for the project
by $900,000.

Now the board of education must decide which of the cut items to restore.