CLYDE-GREEN SPRINGS BOARD ORDERS DRUG TESTS FOR ATHLETES

CLYDE, Ohio - Clyde-Green Springs students who want to participate
in athletics or other extracurricular activities after Aug. 1 will
be subject to random drug testing.

The Clyde-Green Springs Board of Education voted Monday to implement
the drug-testing policy for students in grades 7-12, Assistant
Superintendent Gregg Elchert said.

Students who drive to school and park on school grounds also will be
subject to the testing, which will be administered randomly several
times a month throughout the year.

Twelve to 15 students will be tested for a variety of substances
each time, Mr. Elchert said. He said the new policy will affect
between 80 percent and 85 percent of the district's about 780 high
school students.

Those who test positive will face consequences. On the first
offense, if a student and a parent agree to a professional drug
assessment, a student would be required to sit out 20 percent of the
season. For example, for football season, which typically
involves about 10 games, a student would need to sit out two games.

A second offense would bar a student from participating in any
extracurricular activity for one calendar year.

In other action, the school board voted to ask the Sandusky County
Board of Elections to place a 1.5-mill, five-year replacement levy
for permanent capital improvements on the Aug. 7 ballot.

Voters defeated the same issue by a narrow vote during the special
election May 8.

If replaced, the levy would raise $306,000 annually for the
district, which extends into Seneca County. It would cost the owners
of a $100,000 home just under $46 a year.