Random drug testing in Marion schools a definite maybe
Staff writer
What's more important: Protecting children from alcohol and drugs or protecting civil rights?
That was one of many issues the Marion/Florence USD 408 Board of Education wrestled with Monday night before directing administrators to come up with a policy that would institute random drug testing for students involved in extra-curricular activities.
The motion was approved 4-2 with board members Gene Bowers and Roger Hannaford III casting the dissenting votes.
The new random drug testing will be effective beginning Jan. 1, 2003, if board members approve the policy during the December meeting.
In making the motion to establish a policy, board president Rex Savage directed administrators to find a way to ensure that random drug testing for extra-curricular activities would not impact students scholastically.
"We don't want to deny students the opportunity to get a passing grade," Savage said.
Board members also discussed looking into the use of a breathalyzer to be used at school dances to check for the presence of alcohol.
The board direction occurred after nearly one hour of discussion. Members heard from numerous parents and teachers in the audience. All audience comments came from individuals who supported the issue, sometimes heatedly.
District patron Dan Holub presented board members copies of a petition which supported random drug testing. The petition had 150 signatures.
"We don't see this (drug testing) as going out and finding someone to prosecute," Holub said. "We're not looking at this as a crusade. It's a deterrent."
Looking over the petition, Savage noted there were signatures on the petition of people who could "speak to the problem directly."
"I think it's interesting what that may be saying to us," he said.
Savage said there were two distinct groups of students. For one group, random drug testing would not affect them because they do not participate in extra- curricular activities.
For the second group, the random drug testing could serve as a deterrent because it is important for them to participate in extra-curricular activities. It also gives the students a socially acceptable "out" in turning down alcohol or drugs at parties.
"We have the hard core kids who are not in activities. This probably won't catch any of them, unless we get them at a dance," Savage said.
"Then, there are the solid citizen kids who participate in parties because it's the socially acceptable thing to do," Savage said. "We know a lot of them live for basketball or band or whatever. The main benefit of this is for them."
Speaking as an employer, Savage said he could not begin to tell how many tens of thousands of dollars his company has lost in terms of employee productivity due to drugs and alcohol.
Board vice president Gene Bowers said he felt random drug testing was a civil liberties issue.
"Since 9-11 we've become less of a free country all the time," Bowers said. "I think there are things out there that could work better. We'll just have to hunt for them."
Marion Elementary School teacher Sheila Baldwin commented, "You say we're taking away civil liberties, but drugs are illegal and alcohol is illegal to them."
Board member Keith Collett replied, "The issue Gene raises isn't that drugs are illegal, it's to what extent does the government invade our homes and bodies to prove we're not doing anything illegal?"
Collett said the Marion community has had a problem with drugs for at least 30 years.
"If there's a solution out there that doesn't involve an invasion of privacy I believe the community would have found it by now," he said.
Beginning the discussion, Superintendent of Schools Gerry Henderson said he had sent an e-mail to all superintendents in Kansas to determine if any did random drug testing. Three districts — Fredonia, Bluestem at Leon, and Columbus — all are.
Henderson said Columbus has tested for the past three years. During that time, they have had a "half dozen positive" tests.
"They feel the program is serving as a deterrent," Henderson reported. "They feel it's less than they had before (drug/alcohol use)."
Buhler and Quinter school districts use a breathalyzer at school dances, Henderson said. Not for the purpose of prosecution, but to keep students from coming to dances under the influence. Dances have been much more alcohol-free since.
Martin Tice, business manager, told board members the cost of random drug testing may range from $25 (per student) if done at the local hospital to $60 if done through a consortium out of Topeka.
Eighty percent of the student body in grades 7 through 12 are involved in some sort of extra-curricular activity. Thus, approximately 125 students would be randomly tested out of 250 who "participate in something."
Savage noted that if 50 percent of the students involved in extra-curricular activities were tested at random that could cost approximately $6,000.
Marion High Principal Ken Arnhold and Tod Gordon, Marion Middle School principal, both said staff members had discussed the issue at faculty meetings at some time and felt staff would support random drug testing.
"For the most part, staff believes that kids are looking for something which will give them a reason to say (to friends), 'I can't do this.' They're looking for options," Arnhold told the board.
He also noted that students who come back tell him that random drug testing is now a part of nearly every occupation.
Patron Jami Williams asked board members to explain the main argument against random drug testing.
Savage replied the initial cost figures were the first deterrent.
"The cost was coming in at $25,000 a month ago," Collett said. "So, now it's a different issue."
Bowers said he believed alcohol was the main problem affecting students and noted that drug testing only "weakly" addresses the alcohol problem.
He also noted the main abusers were students who don't participate in extracurricular activities.
"Testing won't solve the problem," he said.
Savage said he knew random testing wouldn't be 100 percent effective, but felt it was worth it if it were only 10 percent effective.
"I think if it (a positive test) will keep someone from playing in a ballgame, a concert, or an FFA contest it may help them keep their nose clean," Savage said.
Collett agreed, "A policy like this won't reach the kids who are being raised in homes where it's in the refrigerator, or taped under the toilet tank, but it'll help some say 'no.'
"And if we only find three positives we'll be doing our job," he said.
