HSTA CONTRACT VIOLATES FOURTH AMENDMENT

Several years ago, in my classroom, a Department of Education
employee who was working with one of my students seemed to be acting
strange and out of it.

The DOE has a procedure to address such concerns, so I contacted the
school administration. They responded quickly, observed the employee
and removed the person from my classroom. I am glad a system is in
place that addresses suspicious behaviors.

Last week, the teachers of Hawai'i had to decide whether to ratify a
contract that included random drug testing. Yes, random. No
suspicious behavior, no probable cause. Gov. Linda Lingle stated it
was non-negotiable.

No contract in my 30 years as a teacher has ever included a violation
of the Constitution of the United States. The Fourth Amendment says,
"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses,
papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall
not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable
cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing
the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

Coleen Ashworth

Pukalani, Maui