Pubdate: Fri, 20 May 2005 Source: Decatur Daily (AL) Copyright: 2005 The Decatur Daily Contact: http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/index.shtml Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/696 Author: Holly Hollman Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing) PROPOSED POLICIES COULD IMPACT ATHENS STUDENTS Is being on the cheerleading squad worth peeing in a cup? Is bringing a cell phone to school worth expulsion? The following are proposed policies that Superintendent Orman Bridges Jr. gave the Athens City Board of Education on Thursday for future consideration: Drug testing policyIf you are a student athlete, cheerleader or in extracurricular activities in grades 7-12, you will undergo drug and alcohol testing. If you don't comply, you cannot participate. Testing may be prior to the seasonal start of the activity or random. If you test positive, the board will suspend you from any activities for 40 days and may order you to get counseling. If you test positive a second time, you will be suspended from any activities until the end of the school year. If the violation occurs near the end of the year, the suspension is for a minimum of 80 days. You must get counseling. If you test positive a third time, you are suspended from activities for a calendar year, and you must get counseling. Board member James Lucas said he has problems testing certain students because the ones he sees getting involved in drugs do not participate in extracurricular activities. Bridges estimated the cost will be $30 to $40 per student. Bridges said an anonymous donor has offered to cover testing expenses. Code of Conduct changes Prohibits you having at school any electronic devices, such as cells phones and pagers, except for health or other needs and with prior permission from the principal. School board attorney Shane Black said this is state law, which requires the board to consider expulsion for violations. Board members thought expulsion excessive. Black said the board could also give you five days out-of-school suspension, corporal punishment or in-school suspension. Adds sexual harassment and promoting sexual acts as Class III offenses. You could get various suspensions, expulsion and legal action. Adds making threats or intimidating students; loitering; gambling; offensive touching; possession of a pocket knife; and inappropriate use of technology resources all Class II offenses. That means you could get various suspensions, corporal punishment and legal action. Adds littering as a Class I offense. You could get after-school detention, in-school suspension or a conference with your parents and school officials. Only seniors can participate in on-the-job cooperative training, and these students must find their own transportation to their jobs. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin