HALL HIGH SCHOOL NEARS NEW DRUG POLICY

Students In Activities Could Face Testing Soon

SPRING VALLEY - Hall High School is one step closer to a drug-testing policy.

"We made constructive strides" during Wednesday's board meeting, said
Mike Struna, Hall High School superintendent. "The board members saw
the first draft and reached a consensus on three key points to revise
the policy."

The seven School Board members agreed to expand the drug-testing pool
to include students who participate in clubs.

The board previously agreed that students who voluntarily join
extracurricular teams and compete in IHSA interscholastic
competitions should be tested. The same goes for groups that
represent the school. The board also decided not to include students
who drive to school as part of the drug-testing pool, unless they're
involved in sports, clubs, or organizations.

"Rockridge High School in Taylor Ridge has adopted a policy in which
students who park on campus can be tested," Struna said. "And it's
been met with resistance."

Finally, the board decided not to charge parents who voluntarily
enter their child's name into the drug-testing pool despite a lack of
extracurricular involvement.

The board earlier agreed not to charge the parents of students
involved in extracurricular activities.

The drug testing will take place weekly. The day will be determined
at random by the testing agency. "We're pleased that we're closer to
implementing a policy that will help students make better choices,"
added Struna.

The policy has been submitted to a lawyer who will include the
revisions in a new draft. The board will see the revision during its
meeting at 7 p.m. Feb. 20 in the Hall High Library.

The public is welcome to attend.

"If the board is happy with it, the policy could be adopted," said Struna.

The administration hopes to implement the policy by August 2008.