Pubdate: Tue, 18 May 2004
Source: Daily Midway Driller (CA)
Contact:  http://www.taftmidwaydriller.com/
Address: Daily Midway Driller, 800 Center Street - P.O Box 958, Taft, CA 93268
Copyright: 2004 Taft Midway Driller. 4/20/2004
Author: Sarah Mitchell
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

TUHS DRUG POLICY HEARD

Discipline at Taft Union High School is becoming more defined with the 
recent recommendation to the district's board. The "Extra-Curricular 
Activity Code of Ethics" review committee has suggested that the board 
approve tonight's revised edition of the Code of Ethics.

The second reading of the revised "Extra-Curricular Activity Code of 
Ethics" will be heard tonight at the TUHS board meeting to be held at 7 
p.m. in the boardroom located in the center of the TUHS campus.

The addition to the previous code deals directly with the athletic 
department. If approved, TUHS will begin random drug testing and an 
athletic tutorial program this fall to encourage students to put health, 
safety and responsibilities back into a high level of priority. 
Superintendent Curt Dubost stands behind the suggested changes but insists 
that the school is treating the matter in a positive fashion.

"We're not trying to catch athletes," Dubost explained. According to the 
superintendent, the goal is simple. "If there's a kid with a problem, we're 
going to get them help."

Dubost also hopes that the random drug testing, if approved, would give 
students a way out of peer pressure situations off campus as well as on.

The school is focusing mainly on the on-campus situations. Should a student 
be found positive during a random test, it is assumed that action will not 
only protect that student but also the students around them.

Many questions surround the process of the random testing. At the beginning 
of each sport season, student-athletes are subject to random testing. The 
chosen students are either under suspicion by the school or are chosen from 
a lottery system. If by coincidence a student's name is chosen twice from 
the system, they will test both times.

After a number is tested, it remains in the pool of numbers and will be 
available for testing each time.

If an athlete tests positive, a second test would be given to assure the 
results were correct the first time. Immediately following the tests, the 
athlete's parents/guardians are informed of the results. Under rights given 
to American citizens in the Constitution, the parents may appeal. A hearing 
will then be heard by the administration.

If a student has been or is taking prescription medication under direction 
of a physician, they are to provide a copy of the prescription or their 
doctor's verification.

After a positive test is confirmed and the parents have been notified, the 
student will be enrolled in a counseling and rehabilitative drug program 
that will be provided by Taft High. The student will be under mandatory 
testing through out the remainder of the school year or until released by 
TUHS if seen fit.

A positive test result will not end the athletic career of a student. For a 
first time offender, a four-week suspension will be in effect for game-type 
situations. The athlete will keep practicing as part of the team. The 
objective is to keep the student involved, not singled out, and to motivate 
the student towards better decisions.

A second positive test will make an athlete ineligible for the rest of the 
school year.

Parents are to be made aware of the drug testing policy in advance. They 
are encouraged to read the "Extra-Curricular Activity Code of Ethics" each 
school year and are required to sign a consent form in order for their 
student to be an athlete.

Initially, the suggested policy change was to include a "No 'F'" policy for 
athletes. Although the goal of the TUHS committee is to erase all failures 
from report cards each quarter, they decided to take a smaller step. The 
change to be read tonight by the board states that "A student/athlete that 
receives a failing grade or incomplete will be required to enroll, if not 
presently enrolled, in an 'athletic' tutorial immediately for at least one 
semester."

Student-athletes that will be targeted for the program are those in danger 
of receiving an "F" or those having a 2.3 or lower grade point average. In 
order to participate in extra-curricular activities, TUHS has a strict 
standard of a student maintaining a 2.0 GPA or above.

Dubost's view is that the proactive steps will increase efforts by an 
athlete in the classroom and the field.

The committee-comprised of administration, teachers, staff members and 
students-was concerned that the initial "No 'F'" policy was too strict, too 
soon.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager