VALPO SCHOOLS OK DRUG TESTING POLICY

VALPARAISO -- Officials will be able to drug test Valparaiso High
School students based on reasonable suspicion starting in the
2007-08 school year.

The Valparaiso School Board approved the new policy Tuesday

Reasonable suspicion, according to the revised VHS student handbook,
could arise from a number of indicators. These include physical
appearance, unusual behavior, odors or credible information
communicated to administrators. The testing might be done with
either saliva or urine samples.

The district considered a random testing policy, Assistant
Superintendent John Hutton said, but decided against subjecting
students to stresses related to such a policy, on top of other
things they deal with.

Instead, a policy of testing in cases of reasonable suspicion will
give students as much opportunity to say no to drugs as possible, he said.

The policy is the result of a two-year review. The district retains
its goal of identifying students who use drugs and helping them,
Hutton said. Currently, only students who have been caught in
possession of, or under the influence of, drugs may be subject to
random testing.

The district wants to ensure an environment where students can
learn, Hutton said.

"We're doing everything we can to keep (drugs) out of the schools," he said.

In other business, the board appointed James McCall assistant
principal at Valparaiso High School. The current English teacher and
head girls track coach moves to the administrative position starting July 1.

He replaces George Gordon, who is retiring.

McCall said his promotion represents not so much a departure from
the classroom as a widening of his responsibilities.

He earned degrees in English from Wabash College and Purdue
University Calumet. Earlier this month he earned a second masters
and administrative certification from Ball State University.

McCall, 30, is a 1995 graduate of Crown Point High School. He is
married, with two small children.