Pubdate: Fri, 29 Jul 2005
Source: Enid News & Eagle (OK)
Copyright: Enid News & Eagle 2005
Contact:  http://www.enidnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2012
Author: Tippi Rasp
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States)

DRUG TESTS BEGIN AT ENID PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Enid Public Schools students participating in some extracurricular
activities will begin submitting to drug testing Monday. School
administrators have set up a schedule for baseline testing of students
involved in a number of activities, about 1,300 eighth-through
12th-grade students in all. The students and parents or guardians have
been mailed letters with details about the testing, including the day
and time set aside for their particular activity.

The policy only affects those activities governed by Oklahoma
Secondary School Activities Association.

The new policy is meant to help students, not punish them for using
drugs, said board president David Meara.

"We understand that our district is not immune to social problems that
other schools across the country face," Meara said. "We know that
there are students at Enid High who use drugs, and we want to help
them." EHS Principal Jim Beierschmitt said the drug testing gives
students a reason to say "no" to using drugs.

"It started out from the standpoint of helping kids - to give
direction to make better decisions on life choices" Beierschmitt said.
Students must turn in a signed consent form before testing. Forms can
be picked up 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Enid High School
administration or activity offices. Students in 10th-through 12th
grades are scheduled for testing Monday through Wednesday, depending
on the activity, while eighth- and ninth-grade students will be tested
later.

High school students participating in band should report to the
cafeteria at noon Monday, while football players are scheduled for 3
p.m. and softball and volleyball players are scheduled for 5:30.

Tuesday's schedule has basketball testing at noon; soccer testing at
1:30 p.m.; cross country and track testing 3; baseball, wrestling and
boy's golf testing at 4:30; and swimming testing at 6.

Wednesday's schedule has cheerleading, girl's golf and tennis testing
at noon; orchestra testing at 1 p.m.; select and show choirs testing
at 2; competitive speech and drama and academic team testing at 3; and
mixed chorus testing at 4.

Students unable to submit to testing at their scheduled time next week
should call their activity sponsor for instructions, Beierschmitt
said. "We'll need to make other arrangements for those students," said
Amber Graham Fitz-gerald, school spokeswoman.

Students will be re-quired to submit a urine sample. A certified
employee of the company hired by the district to test students will
accompany students into one of three rest-rooms, but students will be
alone in the bathroom stalls. The policy outlines the frequency random
tests can be conducted and the time period and other restrictions
permitted for first, second and third offenses during the same school
year.

The policy governs tobacco, alcohol, illegal and performance-enhancing
drug use by students participating in extracurricular activities,
according to the policy.

Students can be tested up to 12 times per year. Punishment for a
positive drug test is suspension from participation in all scheduled
games, competitions, performances or scrimmages for 10 to 88 days.
First- and second-offense suspensions are subject to reduction if the
student adheres to certain conditions, including substance abuse
counseling. The third offense - an 88-day suspension - requires the
student's suspension in all activities, including meetings, practices,
performances and competition and may carry over to the next school
year. The district cannot require students to take counseling,
Superintendent Kem Keithly has said, but a student's suspension for
first and second offenses can be reduced if they agree to and follow
through with counseling. The policy this year is being funded by a
$25,000 donation to the district from Champlin Foundation.

Drug testing cannot be administered to the entire student body because
student attendance is compulsory, according to a U.S. Supreme Court
decision allowing student drug testing. However, extracurricular
activities are considered a privilege, therefore those students may be
tested.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin