BOARD QUESTIONS DRUG-TESTING TIME FRAME

CARTHAGE, Mo. - The Carthage School Board seemed ready to adopt a
drug-testing program on Monday, but members will wait until later this
month to decide when testing might start.

Members at the close of a special meeting asked Superintendent Gary Reed to
get answers on testing procedures, costs and other questions, so a decision
can be made when the panel meets June 24.

Several board members pressed for the program to be started in the next
school year. Others, along with some members of the administration,
questioned whether a program could be put into place that quickly.

"I think we should take our time," said Neel Baucom, board president. "This
is new, and we want to do everything right. But I want everyone's thinking
on the time frame."

Debbie Baugh, a board member who served on the citizenship committee that
recommended the policy, said the testing should start in the coming school
year.

"I think we need to start this year, because the problem is out there," she
said.

Nate Stokes questioned whether there would be enough time to put a system
in place for next year, since football practice will start Aug. 12.

Phil Lewis, high school principal, said he also is concerned about the time
frame.

"I think we'd be safe to implement it for athletes," said Tom Wells,
another board member. "But, as far as other activities, I'd want to wait
for the Supreme Court decision before we go further."

The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld drug testing for high school athletes.
The high court in March heard arguments in a case challenging an Oklahoma
school district's requirement for testing of students in other
extracurricular activities, including choir. A decision on that case is
expected soon.

Most of the local objections raised thus far have focused on a program that
would "target" athletes. Some have said all students should be tested, and
some parents have said they want their children included even if they are
not athletes, board members said.

Reed said the testing cannot be applied to activities that are connected
with a class grade.

But, he said he and other administrators believe, if the board decides,
that testing could be applied to other activities in addition to
extracurricular athletics, such as the dance team, Future Teachers of
America, National Honor Society, and the art, fishing, foreign language,
movie, math and science clubs.

"That will be made clearer with the Supreme Court decision," said Lewis.
"But the program will be more credible if more are included."

Reed said it would be easier to get the program ready for spring sports,
but that it would send a "mixed message" to start in midyear.

Tony Diggs asked whether the program could start with a year of voluntary
testing.

The program being considered is based on one in place in Carl Junction.
Glenn Coltharp, now an assistant superintendent in Carthage, was
superintendent at Carl Junction when the program was implemented there.

It took the district three years to get from a recommendation to an actual
testing program, he said.