Pubdate: Wed, 17 Apr 2002
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (WI)
Copyright: 2002 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Contact:  http://www.jsonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/265
Author: BRIAN HUBER

SCHOOL BOARD DRUG TESTING QUESTIONED

Larger Issues Need Attention, Some Say

WAUKESHA - A recent decision by a northern Wisconsin school board to have 
its members drug tested has drawn questions from area school board 
presidents, who said there were other concerns facing school boards. The 
Associated Press on Monday reported that the Lac du Flambeau School Board 
has become the first board known in the state to require its members to 
submit to drug testing. Hair samples will be collected from elected board 
members and tested for illegal drug use. A proponent of the plan said the 
drug testing was a way to further the idea of a drug-free school.

But the practice was met with a variety of reactions around Waukesha 
County, which ranged from criticizing the policy to at least one man 
wondering what the policy aimed to accomplish.

Bill Domina, president of the Waukesha School Board, said elected officials 
pass their true tests at the ballot boxes, where races are decided on 
community involvement and credentials. Any questions of drug use likely 
would be part of the election process, he said.

"I think it's a little over the top," Domina said of the drug-testing 
policy. "We still live in a country with a Constitution. ... I think in the 
school district we try to respect individuals' rights to free expression 
and against unreasonable search and seizure.

"The reason I don't think it will catch on is it's some sort of political 
demonstration that doesn't reflect a valuing of those constitutional rights 
that we try to encourage in our school district, and I don't think that 
will change real soon."

Mark Herro, president of the Oconomowoc Area School Board, said he would 
"have a problem" telling an elected board member, who serves without pay, 
to submit to a drug test.

"Personally, I'd have no problem taking a test, but I believe other board 
members would say the same thing, and that is, we would wonder why such a 
policy would ever be implemented," he said.

Charles Damaske, president of the Muskego-Norway School Board, agreed. But 
he added that he did not think anyone on the board there would oppose such 
a policy.

"I'd do it. I'd be the first in line," he said. "But what's the point? I'd 
think they would spend their time on something a little more meaningful. 
They really must have nothing better to do."

Jean Cruikshank, president of the Mukwonago Area School Board, said she 
doubted the policy would catch on here.

"I don't think I'd be in favor of it. There is no reason to do drug testing 
of elected officials," she said. "There are already laws in place where if 
you are charged with certain crimes you cannot hold office, and I think 
that's sufficient."

Ken Cole, executive director of the Wisconsin Association of School Boards, 
said the policy raised more questions than it answered.

"What if a board member refuses to take the test? I don't know if the 
member loses the job for refusing to take the test," he said. "I am not 
even sure if they failed the test they could lose their job. There's no 
provision around these circumstances."

Cole added that people also must disclose which medications they are taking 
to prevent false positive readings, and they might be hesitant to reveal 
that information.

"I understand it as a gesture because they are doing it for employees, but 
school board members don't fall into the same category," he said. "It 
creates more confusion than it does substance for qualifications for being 
a school board member."

Dee Kneebone, a retired teacher from New Berlin, said she believed school 
board members have a responsibility to set a good personal example for 
students. Drug tests, although they may not reflect a person's ability to 
be an effective school board member, are a way to gauge that, she said.

"It's a shame society has come to the point where that's even needed," she said.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart