Pubdate: Sat, 22 Sep 2001
Source: Indianapolis Star (IN)
Copyright: 2001 Indianapolis Newspapers Inc.
Contact:  http://www.starnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/210
Author: Bill McCleery
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)

DISTRICT REINSTATES DRUG TESTS

School Board votes 5-0 to resume policy Nov. 12 in wake of state high 
court's intent to review ban.

GREENWOOD, Ind. -- Greenwood Schools has become the third Johnson 
County school system to reinstate random drug testing since the 
Indiana Supreme Court agreed to review a lower court's effective ban 
on such policies.

The Greenwood School Board voted 5-0 this week to restart testing at 
Greenwood High School and Greenwood Middle School. The policy will go 
into effect Nov. 12, said Superintendent Pat Garvey.

"We'll be getting consent forms signed by parents" before that date, he said.

The policy will apply to students involved in extracurricular 
activities and high school students who drive to school.

Parents have supported the policy, said Bob Hynds, director of 
student services.

"Last night, a couple of parents at the board meeting came up 
afterward and said they were really pleased we're reinstating the 
program," Hynds said Wednesday. "I don't expect any objections."

School officials have yet to decide what firm will administer the 
drug tests, Hynds said. The cost of testing a student will be about 
$25 per test, he said.

Center Grove and Clark-Pleasant Schools reinstated random drug tests 
earlier this year.

Edinburgh school officials have discussed the possibility of resuming 
random drug tests but have not done so, said Athletics Director Tom 
Derrico.

Officials at Nineveh-Hensley-Jackson Schools intend to wait until the 
Indiana Supreme Court issues a decision, Superintendent Michael 
Thompson has said.

Officials at Franklin Schools opted against random drug tests before 
the state appellate court ruled against the practice.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Josh