HARTSELLE SCHOOL BOARD TO ASK COUNCIL TO HELP DEFRAY DRUG TEST COSTS

HARTSELLE -- The Hartselle Board of Education will ask the City Council for
more funding to help defray the cost of implementing a student drug testing
program.

In a unanimous vote Monday night, the board agreed to seek a funding
increase from $46,569.29 to $54,463.34.

The council, because of revenue shortfalls, cut the school system's
appropriation by almost $8,000 last year. Superintendent Lee Hartsell said
the school system's proposed 2002-2003 budget includes level funding from
the council and no money for student drug testing.

The board could, however, amend its budget at any time to appropriate money
for the drug-testing program, chairman Susan Puckett said.

Drug-testing policy

A committee the school board appointed is working on a drug-testing policy
for students in extra-curricular activities. Some committee members have
indicated that they would like to see the policy in place for the upcoming
school term.

The committee met Monday night and discussed what penalties would be for a
positive drug test.

First offense

The group agreed that the student in extra-curricular activities would be
suspended for 30 percent of the games or activities for the first positive
tests.

The student would also complete a school-system approved counseling program
and test negative before returning to competition or the activity.

The penalties for a second test are the same, but students must go through
prolonged counseling.

The proposed policy permanently bans students who fail a third test, but
allows them to continue with counseling.

Committee chairman Susan Hayes said the group may discuss the penalties
again Monday night.

Mrs. Hayes said she would provide the group with a list that shows how the
penalties would affect each extra-curricular activity.