DIVERSE COMMITTEE ENVISIONED

The committee charged with formulating Hartselle School Systems drug policy
will consist of a member of the city council and a representative of the
school board, as well as coaches, parents and students.

Hardball Enquirer

School Superintendent Dr. Lee Hartsell is formulating a list of the groups
that will be represented on the committee. Among those groups will be: the
city council; school board; a representative of the band boosters; parents
of a cheerleader; two coaches - one from a female sport and one from a male
sport; a male and female athlete; a representative from the junior high;
and a classroom teacher who's not connected to athletics.

School Board President Susan Puckett said the committee will consist of
12-15 members. The committee will be charged with looking at several
options for a system-wide drug testing policy, including who it will affect
and how it will be administered.

"We don't have to reinvent the wheel," Hartsell said. "What we do have to
do is answer two main questions: who all do you include (in the tests) and
what are the penalties?"

Hartselle's school system is forming a committee to look into drug testing
for students involved in extra curricular activities following an incident
at the high school where two teens collapsed and were taken to the
hospital. Both of the students were tested for drugs.

School officials initially said the results of the tests were negative, but
later acknowledged that one of the students tested positive for marijuana.
The incident prompted an array of questions about how it was handled and
how the system dealt with student drug use.

Currently, the system's drug policy affects only those who are caught on
campus with narcotics. There is no drug testing of athletes or anyone
wanting to participate in extra-curricular activities.

Hartsell will present his list, along with some recommendations for actual
committee members, at the board's May 13 meeting. Board members will also
be making nominations.

Hartsell said most groups, such as the band boosters, will appoint its own
representative to the committee. The biggest controversy seems to be
looming over the appointment of the representative from the city council.

Councilmen Tom Chappell and Frank Jones have both asked to be named to the
committee. Chappell has expressed his support of the school board and
Hartsell, while Jones has been among those who have criticized the handling
of the incident.