Middletown school board adopts drug-test policy
BY DAN NEWMAN
Staff Writer

MIDDLETOWN - After months of back-and-forth banter concerning a proposed random drug-testing policy, the Board of Education passed the motion unanimously at its Oct. 23 meeting.

The policy, which will demand tests for students who park their vehicles on campus or are involved in extracurricular activities, was first brought up over the winter. From there, district officials issued a survey in May to students in grades 8-12 that contained questions regarding students' use of alcohol and drugs.

At last week's meeting, at least 25 people wanted their voices to be heard, both in favor and against the policy, before it was approved.

"Any student in our schools that use drugs, they're making a conscious decision to break the law," High School North Principal Patricia Vari-Cartier said.

Unlike Vari-Cartier, some were unsure if the time was right to adopt a drug policy.

"I think there could be a problem with this policy if lawsuits are brought against the district," said parent James Cody, who went on to suggest that the policy be tabled.

At one point, interim Superintendent Karen Bilbao tried to assure parents that the school district would not be overstepping its role.

"We don't want to usurp the responsibility of our parents," Bilbao said. "We feel that we have tight procedures in place and that we are on firm legal ground with what we're trying to implement here. We just want to help people with this policy."

According to the policy, ID numbers will be assigned to students who fill out a consent form to park or take part in extracurricular activities. Those numbers will be put into a pool, and students will be randomly selected for the testing. At least 10 percent of students will be chosen. Students will be required to submit a urine sample to a school nurse.

District personnel will not release the records of the results to anyone other than the students or their parents without prior written approval. If a student fails a drug test, they will be suspended from clubs and athletic programs for 30 days. If the student has a parking permit, that also will be revoked for 30 days.