BOARD AIRS SECOND DRAFT OF DRUG POLICY

Dublin District Plans Two Public Hearings On Plan To Test Students

DUBLIN -- The Dublin School Board tonight will weigh in on the second draft
of a proposed drug-testing policy for students involved in extra-curricular
activities.

The revised draft provides a more detailed look at how the policy would be
put into effect in the schools.

If approved, the district would test a random group of students in the
sixth through 12th grades for alcohol and other controlled substances, such
as marijuana, through a urinalysis.

If the test is positive, a second test will be done to confirm the
original. Parents or guardians will be notified only if the test is
confirmed and will be given an opportunity to challenge the result.

According to the policy, students will who fail the tests would be given
the option to participate in a substance-abuse prevention program and
undergo follow-up testing or be suspended from extra-curricular activities
for eight weeks or the remainder of the semester.

The school district is planning public hearings about the proposed policy
so community members can provide comments before it is considered for final
approval by the trustees.

In other business, trustees will hear about a joint effort between Wells
Middle School and the city to provide after-school programs for students,
revisions to the Dublin High School home economics curriculum and results
of the California Healthy Kids survey administered in the spring.

In addition, the school district is seeking public comment at two upcoming
forums regarding future facilities needs.

Officials said community members are encouraged to attend one or both of
the upcoming hearings at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Dublin High School library,
8151 Village Parkway, or 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29, in the Dougherty
Elementary School multipurpose room, 5301 Hibernia Drive.

District staff members will provide enrollment projections for the next 15
to 20 years and present its current plan to accommodate the growing student
population.

The Dublin School Board meets at 7 p.m. today in the district office board
room, 7471 Larkdale Ave.