MARYVILLE SCHOOLS TO LOOK AT RANDOM DRUG TESTING OF STUDENTS

The Maryville Board of Education Thursday discussed starting a pilot
program to conduct random drug testing on student athletes, cheerleaders,
and any student involved in extra-curricular activities through the school
system.

Based on comments by board members Thursday, the policy -- which Director
of Schools Mike Dalton began developing earlier this year -- has the
support of the school board.

However, that support could depend on whether the policy covers students
involved in all extra-curricular activities and not just athletes and
cheerleaders.

"I think the policy should include as many students as the government will
allow us to cover and not just pick on athletes," said board member Denny
Garner.

Board member Sherry Miller reminded the board that a general drug testing
policy for all students is not constitutional.

"I think we should start out with just the athletes because the coaches
have expressed their concern," Miller said. "If we start out small and it
works, we can include more students."

Dalton said if they pursue the idea, Maryville would be the first school in
the area to implement a random drug testing program. And there would be
arguments against the idea.

"There are several companies on the Internet that explain how to beat the
drug tests," Dalton said. "We also have to consider whether it would be an
invasion of privacy. We need to determine if we have enough of a problem to
warrant this."

Board Chairwoman Patsy Lunde said the consensus is that the school board
needs to pursue the development of a plan.

"We need to discuss this further," she said. "It will require a lot of
input, but I think we can come up with a good policy."

The board will schedule a work session at a later date to further discuss
the drug testing issue.

Dalton said they also have decided to proceed with conducting background
checks on the 12 to 15 interns and student teachers who are working in the
Maryville school system.

All student teachers in charge of students will be fingerprinted at a cost
of $53 each, which the school board will pay for, at least this year.

The board plans to further discuss ways to pass the cost on to either the
student teachers or possibly the college or university in which they are
enrolled in future years.

In other business at Thursday's meeting, the board:

* Passed on first reading procedures that will strengthen and clarify
reporting requirements for travel and credit card usage.

* Passed on first reading a policy that will allow teachers and
administrators to interrogate students privately and discreetly about any
matter pertaining to the operation of school and/or the enforcement of its
rules.