Pubdate: Wed, 06 Jul 2005
Source: New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung (TX)
Copyright: 2005 Herald-Zeitung
Contact:  http://www.herald-zeitung.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3053
Author: Melissa Johnson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States)

NBISD DRUG TESTING POLICY TONED DOWN

The New Braunfels Independent School District could have a random drug
testing policy in effect if trustees give the go ahead Thursday.

The policy, which would impact students in grades seven through 12,
has undergone significant changes since its first reading June 20.

The new version of the draft reduces a student's suspension from
extracurricular activities and campus parking, gives students three
chances before receiving a permanent suspension from privileges and
removes alcohol from the list of testable substances.

NBISD Trustee Lee Edwards said that the changes were made because the
policy was meant to identify students with drug problems rather than
punish them for drug use.

"The concensus of the board was that this policy wasn't designed to be
punishment," Edwards said. "It's designed to help students get
treatment and not remove them from the extracurricular activities that
keep them engaged in school."

According to the new draft, a student's first positive drug test will
suspended him from competition and parking for 15 days. A student's
second positive test will lead to a 30-day suspension, and the third
will mandate a one-year suspension.

If a student tests positive a fourth time, he will be permanently
suspended from participating in all competitive extracurricular
activities and campus parking for the duration of the student's
attendance in NBISD.

Though the draft requires students be suspended from competition for
their first three offenses, it allows the students to participate in
extracurricular practices.

Edwards said the specification is designed to keep students involved
while they undergo counseling and fulfill the requirements of their
suspension.

"Student involvement is directly related to less discipline problems,
better attendance and higher grades," Edwards said. "This keeps them
involved while they're in treatment and gives children an incentive to
fully participate."

The previous drug policy required a 30-day suspension after the first
positive test, a one-year suspension after the second and a permanent
suspension after the third offense.

The list of testable substances includes amphetamines, anabolic
steroids, barbiturates, cocaine, LSD, marijuana, methadone, opiates
and phencyclidine.

Since alcohol was a substance already covered in the Student Code of
Conduct, Edwards said the board decided it would be redundant to
include it in the drug testing policy.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin