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Halifax Considers Drug Tests Students in
Extra-curricular Activities, Driver Education to be Targeted.
Monday, March 31, 2003
Halifax School Board members have
given preliminary approval to a policy that would mandate student drivers and
seventh- to 12th-graders involved in competitive extra-curricular activities to
submit to random drug testing.
A public hearing regarding the
proposed policy is scheduled for 6 p.m. April 7 in the high school library. The
school board plans a final vote on the proposal April 14.
Halifax officials decided last year to
reconsider instituting drug testing after a 2002 U.S. Supreme Court decision
allowed schools to require drug tests of students who participate in any
competitive after-school activities, whether it be football, marching band or
Future Farmers of America.
Previously, schools were allowed only
to test student athletes and cheerleaders.
The proposal states that testing will
be done randomly without prior notice to students.
The district would test up to 20
students at monthly intervals during the school year, regardless of whether a
pupil's sport or activity is in session. Halifax's school board gave preliminary
approval to the proposal March 17.
An earlier proposal requiring random
drug tests of athletes in grades seven through 12 was voted down in 1999 by all
but one Halifax board member for varying reasons, including some board members'
concerns that it was unfair to single out athletes.
The newest proposal was passed
unanimously by board members, three of whom were on the board in 1999. Members
William Sayre and Diane Vaughn were absent for the vote.
A task force of district personnel,
parents and other community members helped draft the proposal.
Superintendent James Dull said the
officials decided to draft a drug-test policy after reviewing results of a
survey administered in 2001 to Halifax students in grades seven through 12.
"The survey indicated that there's a
higher level of long-term drug use, not just experimental use. There is a
problem," Dull said.
The district is targeting activities
students instead of the entire student body because a 2002 U.S. Supreme Court
decision covers pupils involved in competitive activities, not students in
general.
"Students who are involved in
competitive activities are more susceptible to being put in dangerous
situations. Drugs can impair their performance and then it becomes a safety
issue," Dull said.
Also, school activities and driving
are a privilege, not a right for the district's students, Dull said.
Alcohol testing would be performed
only under reasonable suspicion that a student has or is under the influence of
alcohol, the proposal states. Nicotine products are also included in a list of
drugs prohibited by the school district.
For a first offense, students would be
suspended indefinitely from the extracurricular activity. Also, a student would
be required to undergo drug and alcohol counseling.
If there is a second offense, a
student would be barred from participating in extra-curricular activities and
lose his or her driving privileges for one calendar year.
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