Pubdate: Sun, 22 May 2005
Source: Times-News, The (ID)
Copyright: 2005 Magic Valley Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.magicvalley.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/595
Author: John E. Swayze
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)

FILER SCHOOL DISTRICT APPROVES RANDOM DRUG TESTING

All school-sponsored groups will be subject to the drug policy

FILER -- It took more than a year to complete, but Filer School Board
members have finally approved a random drug-testing policy for their
students.

The new random drug testing policy -- which also contains a provision for
administering breathalyzer tests for alcohol -- will take effect during the
next school year. It will add to a testing policy based upon reasonable
suspicion that has been enforced in the district since 1990.

"It's taken a long time, but you want to make sure it meets the needs of the
district," said Superintendent John Graham.

All school-sponsored groups and sports activities recognized by the Idaho
High School Activities Association will fall under the jurisdiction of this
policy. It could also include groups such as FFA, band, choir and advanced
speech, all at the school board's discretion.

Up to 10 percent of the students who participate in activities could be
tested during the school year, if their assigned numbers are drawn. Copies
of the new policy will be included as part of next year's student handbook.
They are also available from the district office.

Discussions of a random drug testing policy were prompted in the spring of
2003 when the Filer High School student body rated the quality of the
school's drug-free climate in a survey. The students' responses showed that
73 percent of sophomores and 74 percent of seniors felt that this was an
area that needed improvement.

The school board responded to those results by forming a committee to
examine other districts' drug policies and come up with suggestions for one
that could be implemented in Filer. 
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MAP posted-by: Josh