FAULKNER COUNTY SCHOOLS REACT TO SUPREME COURT RULING

School administrators across Faulkner County are reacting today in the wake
of the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on random drug testing in public schools.

The ruling, a 5-4 decision, allows the random testing of any student in
middle or high school involved in any form of extracurricular activities.
The ruling markedly broadens the court's original 1995 decision to uphold
the policy of randomly testing student athletes.

"I think that's significant," said David Bangs, who as assistant principal
at Vilonia High School helped to spearhead a program of random testing for
students enrolled in activities. "To be honest, I didn't know how the court
would rule."

The Vilonia district is not alone among Faulkner County school systems when
it comes to enforcing a drug testing policy. The Conway and Greenbrier
school districts have also maintained programs of random testing, though
the Conway district voted in 2001 to discontinue the policy until a
decision is handed down by the high court.

Conway district officials could not be reached for comment.

The decision, while met with general enthusiasm by some administrators, has
also drawn fire from those who claim that to conduct such testing is a
breach of a student's right to privacy. Dr. Bruce Plopper, a journalism
professor with children in the Conway district, has been a vocal critic of
the practice of random testing.

"Given that pediatricians and other national health organizations have come
out against student drug testing, any school board that tells its students
they can participate in extracurricular activities only if the school can
invade their privacy should be ashamed of itself," said Plopper.

Of approximately 14 million American high school students, more than 50
percent are estimated to participate in extracurricular activities.

See Friday's Log Cabin Democrat for the complete story!