Pubdate: Fri, 05 Jul 2002
Source: Shawnee News-Star (OK)
Copyright: 2002 The Shawnee News-Star
Contact:  http://www.onlineshawnee.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/412
Author: Jennifer Pitts
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)

NO POLICY IN PLACE FOR DRUG TESTING TEACHERS IN T-TOWN

By federal mandate, those public employees who drive children to school are 
required to be drug tested while those who teach the children are not.

The Tecumseh Board of Education set a drug and alcohol testing policy in 
place in 1996 to comply with the Omnibus Transportation Testing Act of 
1991. The school board policy includes eight pages describing when, where, 
why and how bus drivers may be tested. A pre-employment drug and alcohol 
test is required and random testing, as well as testing upon suspicion, is 
also described in the policy.

Faculty and staff are not required upon employment or otherwise to be 
tested for drugs or alcohol, Linda Meoli, an attorney with the Center of 
Education Law, said.

Tom Wilsie, Tecumseh superintendent of schools, was unavailable for 
comment. Assistant Superintendent Danny Jacobs directed questions about the 
school's policies to Meoli, the school's attorney.

State law prohibits teachers from being drug tested randomly or upon 
suspicion, Meoli said.

Schools, however, are allowed to conduct pre-employment testing, but Meoli 
said cost could be a reason most do not.

"They do have the authority to do that if they want to," she said. 
"However, once you are employed, you can't be tested."

Tecumseh School Board President Terry O'Rorke said he was unaware the 
school had the option of drug testing teachers prior to employment.

"I honestly didn't realize that was an option," he said.

O'Rorke said he feels everyone should be tested in the school systems.

"I've always had the feeling that we should have the right to drug test 
teachers and faculty," he said. "If it's right for the kids, it's right for 
the teachers and the school board."

He said despite the absence of drug testing, the school board has a no 
tolerance policy.

"I think in the future you are going to see more things happen to deter 
drugs in school," said O'Rorke.
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MAP posted-by: Ariel