Beginning next spring, all of Denison Independent School District's athletes will be tested for drug use, but district officials stressed that the purpose of the policy is not punitive. "We want to give (students) a reason to say no to the peer pressure that they face on a daily basis," Assistant Superintendent George Hatfield said to the board on Tuesday. The board voted unanimously - with Vice President Bruce Hysmith and member Doug Holzbog absent - to approve the policy. The policy will require all 7th through 12th grade athletes and cheerleaders and their parents to consent to testing before the students can participate in the activities. Initially everyone in the programs will be tested. Then 7th grade, 9th grade, and all new athletes must take an initial drug test. Additionally, every six weeks, a random group of students, between 5 and 20 percent, will be tested. Once a student tests positive, that student will be tested every six weeks for a year. [continues 451 words]
The Denison School Board will likely at its board meeting on Tuesday set in motion the start of construction at Hyde Park, Lamar and Mayes elementaries. With the drawings done, the board will at 6:30 p.m. consider guaranteed maximum prices for these schools. The meeting will be in the Board Room, 1201 S. Rusk Ave. The prices will be the absolute most the district can expect to pay for the projects. Meeting documents state that the actual guaranteed maximum prices will be distributed at the meeting with a recommendation provided then. [continues 238 words]
