School board tables drug testing policy — again

Saturday, November 14, 2009

By PATTY RICE GROTH
Inquirer Reporter
prgroth@galioninquirer.com

Galion City School District superintendent Kathy Jenney introduced the current draft of a policy on random drug testing of students. Following up on previous discussions at both regular and work session meetings, Jenney brought board members’ attention to additions made to the draft policy suggested by the board’s legal counsel. Attorney Harry Welch was asked to write language which would allow the parent or guardian of a student not involved in extracurricular activities to add that student into the pool of students to be tested.

Without the possibility of exclusion from practices, games or performances associated with an extracurricular activity, the draft policy would only impose penalties of 20 hours of community service, additional drug testing at the family’s expense and participation in a “reinstatement” hearing before school administrators.

In addition to students who are involved in extracurricular activities, the Galion district’s proposed policy would include students who wish to park a vehicle on school property during school hours.

In addition to community service and additional testing, positive drug test results subject students involved in extracurricular activities to be excluded from 20 percent of the activity’s season and/or loss of parking privileges for 20 percent of 180 school days.

To avoid community service and/or additional drug testing, a student can choose not to participate in extracurricular activities or give up campus parking for a period of one year. Before that student can rejoin any activity or park on campus again, the student must pass another drug test.

Consequences of positive drug test results which occur late in the school year will carry over until into the next school years.

With the revised policy before them, board members engaged in a spirited discussion of the advisability of allowing parents or guardians to enroll students who do not participate in extracurricular activities or park on campus in the random testing pool.

Board member Dennis Long reiterated his opinion the district should not offer to take a role in parenting a student who would not otherwise qualify. Long does agree it is reasonable and appropriate to drug test students who are asking for privileges offered by the school district — such as sports or music programs or parking on the campus during school day. Every student who wants to be part of school activities already must sign a code of conduct pledge which prohibits drug and alcohol use at any time in any location. That student’s parent or guardian also signs the pledge.

Long expressed concerns about whether offering drug testing as a general service to families is outside the school district’s role in a family.

A question concerning the rights of a student who has turned 18 years old was also discussed. If a student whose parent or guardian has voluntarily enrolled them in the random drug testing pool wants to be removed from the pool after turning 18, what is the district’s obligation?

Board member Carl Stough admitted Long’s arguments had convinced him further discussion and research is needed before the school board adopts a policy and procedure which allows voluntary participation at a parent or guardian’s request.

The motion to approve the policy was tabled until a future school board meeting.