Pubdate: Wed, 02 May 2007
Source: Honolulu Advertiser (HI)
Copyright: 2007 The Honolulu Advertiser, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.
Contact:  http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/195
Author: Coleen Ashworth

HSTA CONTRACT VIOLATES FOURTH AMENDMENT

Several years ago, in my classroom, a Department of Education 
employee who was working with one of my students seemed to be acting 
strange and out of it.

The DOE has a procedure to address such concerns, so I contacted the 
school administration. They responded quickly, observed the employee 
and removed the person from my classroom. I am glad a system is in 
place that addresses suspicious behaviors.

Last week, the teachers of Hawai'i had to decide whether to ratify a 
contract that included random drug testing. Yes, random. No 
suspicious behavior, no probable cause. Gov. Linda Lingle stated it 
was non-negotiable.

No contract in my 30 years as a teacher has ever included a violation 
of the Constitution of the United States. The Fourth Amendment says, 
"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, 
papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall 
not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable 
cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing 
the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

Coleen Ashworth

Pukalani, Maui
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom