SCHOOLS TO CONSIDER EXPANDED DRUG TESTING

The Duneland Schools' Positive Life Committee will be asked to review
the school system's drug-testing policy, possibly by combining the
current suspicion-based program with random tests.

The matter came up at Monday's school board meeting at the request of
School Board President Janice Custer, who noted that Porter County
ranks third in the nation in opiate use, in a comparison of other
major metropolitan areas. She said given the ongoing drug problem, it
may be appropriate for the Duneland Schools to review its drug testing policy.

The school board agreed to have the Positive Life Committee review
the policy and recommend any changes.

Duneland had a random drug testing program in 1999 and 2000, then
discontinued the program until 2004, when it instituted drug testing
based on "reasonable suspicion."

Court rulings have determined that random tests can be given only to
students who drive to school and those who are in extracurricular
activities. Schools, however, may test any student where there is
reasonable suspicion that they are using drugs or alcohol.

Chesterton High School Principal James Goetz said each of the testing
options has its merits and drawbacks. Many students who use drugs or
alcohol aren't involved in extracurricular activities or they don't
drive, so they can't be subject to the random tests, he noted.
Suspicion-based testing, on the other hand, allows schools to include
all students, which he said is an important consideration.

But Goetz also said that because schools can only drug test if there
is a suspicion, students who are using drugs but who don't draw
attention to themselves could successfully avoid getting tested.

Custer suggested that the Duneland Schools might want to consider
having both types of drug tests. It was agreed that the committee
will analyze this issue.

Goetz pointed out that when Duneland had the random testing,
officials from the lab that was contracted conducted the tests, which
involved taking students' urine samples. But under the more recent
suspicion-based testing, saliva samples are taken by school staff.

IB Coming?

The school board endorsed the plan to bring the International
Baccalaureate program to Chesterton High School, as discussed at
several meetings in the past year.

The IB program, based in Switzerland, is a rigid high school program
consisting of advanced curriculum and community service. Students who
graduate with IB honors often are eligible for college scholarships.

Goetz said CHS staff have attended IB training sessions and just last
week visited Carmel High School, which is one of about 15 Indiana
schools with the IB program. The only other IB school in the area is
Valparaiso High School.

Goetz said much of the CHS curriculum can be modified to accommodate
the IB requirements.

"This isn't going to be anything earth-shattering for us because our
curriculum is already pretty good," he said.

With the school board's endorsement, CHS will complete its
application and submit it by the June 1 deadline.

Personnel

In personnel matters, the school board accepted the retirement of
Brummitt Elementary 4th grade teacher Judy Murphy, who is completing
her 36th year at Duneland.

Murphy is a graduate of Indiana University and completed her master's
degree in education at IU Northwest. She has taught second, third and
fourth grades at Brummitt.

Duneland Assistant Superinten-dent Monte Moffett said with the other
teachers who are retiring this year, Duneland is losing a total of
160 years in education experience.

The school board also appointed Sarah Gaff as a CHS math teacher.
Gaff is a 1996 CHS graduate who has four years experience in Georgia
and North Carolina.

The board also approved a leave for Jackson Elementary first-grade
teacher Renee Blosky.