Pubdate: Thu, 07 Mar 2002
Source: Star Press, The (IN)
Website: http://www.thestarpress.com/
Address: P.O. Box 2408 Muncie, In 47307-0408
Contact:  2002 The Star Press
Fax: (765)213-5858
Author: Melia A. Ross

SCHOOL DISTRICTS CONSIDER RANDOM DRUG TESTING

MUNCIE - Some local school officials might take advantage of Tuesday's 3-2 
ruling by the Indiana Supreme Supreme Court to allow schools to perform 
random drug tests on students. Before Tuesday's decision, random drug 
testing had been ruled unconstitutional by the Indiana Court of Appeals 
based on a case involving Northwestern Schools in Howard County.

Larry John, superintendent of Mount Pleasant Township Community Schools, 
said his school district would review its current policy of "reasonable 
suspicion," which states that a student or employee can be tested if there 
is reason to believe drug use has occurred. The option to perform random 
testing will be considered, John said..

"I think we are a community that will look strongly at drug testing in some 
fashion," he said.

John said he would be "surprised" if school officials did not decide to 
return to some form of random testing.

During an informational drug forum at Yorktown High School last month, some 
parents suggested random drug testing of students. The forum came after one 
student was expelled and 10 others were suspended when school officials 
caught them with the drug OxyContin at school in December.

Before a final decision is made, John said, school officials will also 
discuss the court's decision with school attorney Steve Murphy.

At Monroe Central Schools in Parker City, Supt. Monte Stebbins said the 
school district did not have a drug testing policy in place.

Stebbins said he suspected the decision would be discussed at the next 
school meeting, but he did not expect a change, especially this late in the 
school year.

"Sometimes you have to see if it's worth the battle," he said.

Muncie Community Schools also do not have a drug testing policy in place, 
but police drug-sniffing dogs are allowed to conduct drug sweeps at the 
city schools.

Even without a drug testing policy in Muncie schools, Supt. Marlin Creasy 
said he was happy to see the courts uphold the decision because random drug 
testing could be a deterrent.
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