Pubdate: Tue, 14 May 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: Deangelo McDaniel

HARTSELLE COUNCIL ASKS ABOUT DRUG-TESTING POLICY

10 Interested In School Board Seat

HARTSELLE -- The City Council here will interview four more candidates 
before deciding if incumbent Tom McHugh retains his spot on the school board.

"We had four more applicants to apply on Friday which brings the total to 
10," Mayor Clif Knight said at Monday's work session.

The mayor said Ron Abercrombie, Gary Burgess and attorneys Jeff Roberts and 
Catherine Halbrooks applied for the position Friday. They will be 
interviewed Monday. School board members serve six-year terms.

McHugh's seat has attracted attention because of the controversy 
surrounding two baseball players who collapsed in school March 4.

One of the players tested positive for marijuana, but Superintendent Lee 
Hartsell and the school board took no disciplinary action. As a result, 
some council members want to replace McHugh.

The council interviewed McHugh and Shirley Wells on April 22. It talked 
with four more candidates Monday night. Applicants include Brent Craig, 
Greg Cain, Lynn Crow and Mark Hendrix.

It was clear from the questions that some council members are concerned 
about the investigation surrounding the incident, and what several view as 
a too-close relationship between Hartsell and the school board.

The four candidates said Hartselle needs a drug-testing policy for students 
who participate in extracurricular activities.
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