SCHOOL BOARD REINSTATES DRUG TESTING POLICY

The Tecumseh School Board voted Monday night to reinstate Tecumseh school's
random drug testing policy, with the exception of the initial drug
testing. After nearly a three-year struggle and one U.S. Supreme Court
decision, the Tecumseh School Board voted unanimously to reinstate the
school's Activity Student Drug Testing Policy Monday evening.

The reinstatement comes less than three weeks after the board received word
that the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the schools drug testing policy by a
vote of 5-4.

Monday evening the board voted to convene to executive session for the
purpose of confidential communications between the board and its attorneys
relating to Tecumseh Public Schools vs. Earls and James. After more than an
hour, the board convened to open session

Robert Mayo, vice-president of the school board made a motion to institute
the drug testing policy the 2002-2003 school year, with the exception of
initial drug testing.

The new school policy allows only for random drug testing of students
involved in extracurricular activities. Students will not be required to
pass a drug test upon enrollment in school activities, said School Board
President Terry O'Rorke. However, initial drug testing will be considered
for the 2003-2004 school year, said Mayo.

In attendance of the special school board meeting were family and friends
of former Tecumseh High School student Lindsay Earls, who filed a lawsuit
with student Daniel James in 1999 alleging portions of the testing policy
violated student's rights to be free from unreasonable searches.

The two students originally filed in the U.S. District Court in Oklahoma
City with the backing of the American Civil Liberties Union.

Earls mother, Lori Earls said her daughter has moved past the lawsuit and
is now attending college in New Hampshire.

"She's past it now," said Lori Earls.

Although, Lindsay Earls has graduated high school and moved on, Lori Earls
said she has two other children in the Tecumseh school system who have
issues with the drug policy.

She said her two daughters, Lacy and Kasey are both active in
extracurricular activities, including the 4H Club, Future Farmers of
America (FFA), and the Spanish Club.

A complete copy of the Activity Student Drug Testing Policy for the
2002-2003 school year will be available Tuesday morning at the Board of
Education, said O'Rorke.