Pubdate: Thu, 21 Aug 2003
Source: Steamboat Pilot & Today, The (CO)
Copyright: 2003 The Steamboat Pilot & Today
Contact:  http://www.stmbt-pilot.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1549
Author: Nick Foster, Staff Reporter
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

DRUG TESTS OK'D

Hayden High To Put Students To The Test

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS - The Hayden Board of Education unanimously app-roved a 
policy Wednesday night that will require any Hayden High School student who 
wants to leave campus during school hours to submit to random drug testing.

The idea was developed and proposed in June by the parent-teacher group, 
the School Improvement Team, after Hayden High School Principal Nick 
Schafer reported there was a problem with drug abuse, particularly with 
marijuana. Two students were caught last school year with marijuana and 
several more are suspected users, Schafer said.

One person spoke out against the policy. Tami Green said she opposed the 
school policing students instead of educating them about the effects and 
ramifications of drug use.

"I want to know: What are the consequences, and what happens if a parent 
refuses to consent to have their child tested?" Green asked.

School Board President Kurt Frentress told her to direct her question to 
Schafer since the decision already had been made that the board would 
proceed to approve the policy, because it was the third and final reading 
of the policy.

In other business:

n School District Transportation Director Darren Zehner discussed with the 
School Board the operation of coal trucks on Twentymile Road during school 
bus route times. He said that in the past, coal trucks from Twentymile Coal 
Co. did not drive during bus route times, but they have increased business 
and would like to drive trucks throughout the day. To compensate, 
Twentymile suggested they would improve the road and possibly build 
pullouts on the side of the road at bus stops. Another option suggested was 
that Twentymile could implement an electronic system that would tell 
drivers that a school bus is on the route.

n At the request of the School Board, Athletics Director Kevin Kleckler 
researched what other school districts paid for athletic fees and happily 
reported that Hayden is the only school in the Northwest Colorado area that 
does not require athletic fees of any kind. "Other districts can't believe 
it," Kleckler said. "We're very fortunate."

n Kleckler also reported the possibility of raising money for athletics 
through corporate sponsorship. He said that corporations such as Pepsi or 
Coca-Cola have paid up to $25,000 at other districts for scoreboards, 
equipment or uniforms, to have their name or logo featured on the donated 
item or items. Kleckler said he could create a donation wish list for the 
athletic department and present it to the School Board later.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom