SUPPORT LOCAL CONTROL: TECUMSEH DRUG POLICIES CHALLENGED

On March 19, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the
Tecumseh public schools drug-testing case. The court's ultimate decision
will have implications not only for effective strategies to counter drug
abuse among young people, but also for local control of public education.
Carrying the case for Tecumseh is Linda Meoli, an attorney with the Center
for Education Law in Oklahoma City. In her brief for the school district,
she identifies the core issue as being whether or not the high court will
uphold local school board discretion to make reasonable policy determinations.

In contention is Tecumseh's "suspicionless drug-testing program" for
students participating in interscholastic competition regulated by the
Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association. The local school board
policy is in addition to a variety of anti-drug policies, including the use
of surveillance cameras, education, drug dogs and security personnel.

Tecumseh is not a hotbed of stoned youngsters -- and that's the point. The
district has monitored its drug problem, which exists to a certain extent
in the town east of Oklahoma City as it does most places. The drug scourge
has not become crippling, as local teachers and others work hard to stay
ahead of the curve.

Although supported by key amicus briefs, including one from the National
School Boards Association, the district's policy is under attack from some
of the usual suspects, including the American Civil Liberties Union. More
disturbing was a brief attacking the policy from the National Education
Association, the National Association of Social Workers and other groups.
Boiled down, their contention is that drug- testing can only occur after a
district is in "immediate crisis."

Local parents, teachers and social workers are generally supportive of the
anti-drug efforts. A school should not have to wait until it is in crisis
to take direct steps to prevent drug abuse. The case was brought by local
families opposed to the policy.

Meoli's brief for Tecumseh asks the court to reverse a hostile ruling from
the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver. Her argument is a
focused, professional defense of local decision-making in behalf of civil
society and ordered liberty.

The Oklahoman is hopeful the nation's highest court will let Tecumseh be
Tecumseh, and not insist that Oklahoma mirror the ACLU's vision for public
education.