Pubdate: Mon, 24 Jul 2006 Source: Marion Star, The (OH) Copyright: 2006 The Marion Star. Contact: http://www.marionstar.com/customerservice/contactus.html Website: http://www.marionstar.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2991 Author: Kurt Moore Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) PLEASANT AGREEMENT STRESSES ALL BE DRUG-FREE CAMPUS Teachers, Administrators Sign On For Testing ... Same As Students MARION - Teachers and administrators will join students as Pleasant Local Schools takes its drug-free pledge to another level. The Pleasant Education Association, which represents 83 teachers, has agreed to drug testing as part of its new three-year contract. Pleasant Board of Education President Gary Sims and Superintendent John Bruno said the board also plans to pass a policy that would require administrators to be tested. "We want to make sure we have a drug-free campus," said Bruno. "If we expect to be role models, we must agree to a level of accountability." Pleasant Middle School science teacher Joann Divish, president of the association, said three union members voted against the contract. She said she had talked with teachers at Pleasant elementary, middle and high schools before bringing up the issue to the association. "Most people took the attitude, 'We aren't doing anything wrong so why would we care,'" said Divish, who said there were a few concerned that such testing violated their rights. Under a policy enacted in 2005, middle and high school students who play sports, take part in extracurricular activities like music or drive to school must take a drug test before school and are subject to random drug testing. Out of 550 students tested, Bruno said there had been a few who tested positive, including one who had falsely tested positive because of prescription medication. "I want to thank the teachers for putting a good foot forward," said Sims, who said the board felt that it was important that staff members ask the same thing of themselves as they ask of students. Divish said some of the teachers had already voluntarily been tested along with students. "We have no problems with this," she said, agreeing with Sims that it sets a good example for students. Bruno said teachers and administrators will be tested before the school year but will not be subjected to random testing. The district does not have a pre-employment drug screening policy. The superintendent said the district would seek treatment for any staff members who test positive, though continual failure of tests could result in termination of employment. Ohio Education Association media relations consultant Michele Prater said the information was not accessible Friday, but that the association had already been asked to research its database to see how many school districts test teachers. Bonnie Joseph, Ohio Education Association representative for all Marion County schools except Ridgedale Local Schools, said bus drivers are tested but it is very uncommon for teachers to be tested. She knew of no other districts within her area, which also includes all but one school in Delaware County, that had such a stipulation as part of their teachers' contracts. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek