Pubdate: Thu, 18 Oct 2001
Source: Plainview Daily Herald (TX)
Copyright: 2001 Plainview Daily Herald
Contact:  http://plainviewonthe.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/864
Author: John Gunning
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)

LAWSUIT TO TARGET TULIA DRUG TESTING

A Tulia parent plans to file a lawsuit against Tulia ISD to prevent 
his son from being tested for drugs.

Alan Bean, parent of a Tulia High School sophomore, and a leader in 
the Friends of Justice organization, made the decision after the 
board refused to exempt his son from testing.

Last year, District Judge Mary Lou Robinson in Amarillo ruled against 
the district, saying that its random drug-testing program for 
students involved in extracurricular activities is a violation of the 
Fourth Amendment.

The district claims in an appeal of the ruling that it applied only 
to the two students involved in the earlier lawsuit.

If he refuses to take the test, Bean's son, Amos, could be barred 
from playing sports at the school.

Bean asked the school board to exempt his son from testing during its 
meeting Tuesday night, explaining that he believed the policy 
violated his son's constitutional rights.

But Superintendent Dr. Ken Miller said Bean's request was denied 
because the drug-testing policy is important and must be evenly 
applied.

"The decision was not to change any policy," he said. "The board 
implemented the policy as an effort to help the kids stay drug-free, 
to give them a way to say no."

The school district tests 10 percent of student athletes every month, 
so Bean would only be affected if he refused to take the test.

But his father said he would sue regardless if his son was picked to be tested.

The Friends of Justice group was organized last year in the wake of a 
controversial drug sting in Tulia.
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MAP posted-by: Josh