Pubdate: Mon, 24 Jun 2002
Source: Decatur Daily (AL)
Copyright: 2002 The Decatur Daily
Contact:  http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/index.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/696
Author:  Bayne Hughes, Daily Education Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

DECATUR SCHOOL BOARD WAITING ON DRUG TEST RULING

The public had its say, so now the Decatur Board of Education is waiting on 
final authority to give the go-ahead for student drug tests.

Superintendent Larry Walters said he will not make a recommendation on a 
proposed student drug test when the Decatur Board of Education meets 
Tuesday at the central office. The school board will have a work session at 
3 p.m., followed by its regular meeting at 4.

Walters said he is waiting on a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Tecumseh, 
Okla., school board vs. Lindsay Earls and Daniel James before he recommends 
the proposed tests. A school board cannot consider a proposal without a 
superintendent's recommendation.

The nation's high court heard oral arguments in the Oklahoma case March 19, 
but has not issued a ruling. It could be late July before a decision is 
announced. Meanwhile, Walters is studying the proposals of a committee of 
school administrators, faculty and citizens, including cost and a timetable 
for implementation. He is also looking at ways to fund the plan.

The committee's proposal projected the test costs to be approximately 
$20,000. The proposal did not, however, include costs associated with 
hiring a physician as a medical review doctor and administrative costs.

Walters said the school system could implement the program, if approved, 
for the 2002-03 school year. Tests could start in October. But if the 
decision is not announced in July, implementation could be delayed until 
January, or even to the 2003-04 school year.

The Oklahoma case focuses on random drug tests of students involved in 
after-school activities ranging from band to chess club. The suit alleges 
that portions of Tecumseh's policy violate students' rights to be free from 
unreasonable searches.
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MAP posted-by: Jackl