Mexico School Board members held a special meeting Tuesday to discuss and approve a random drug testing policy for its middle and high school students. Testing is set to begin this fall. Students not complying with the policy will not be eligible for any extracurricular activities.
Beginning with the 2010-2011 school year, the Mexico School District will conduct random drug testing by urinalysis for all students in grades seven though twelve who apply for parking permits or participate in MSHAA-sponsored activities. Board members voted unanimously to accept the policy.
Administration believes the policy will not only assist in their efforts to provide a drug-free educational experience, but it also gives students the tools they need to 'Just Say No.'
"The feedback has been good and very positive from several parents," Assistant Superintendent Kevin Freeman told The Ledger following the noon meeting held at Central Office. "It will also give a child a legitimate excuse to fight peer pressure."
Administration said they reviewed policies from different school districts, and chose one similar to Camdenton School District's policy.
Copies of the new policy will be handed out during fall registration, and discussed with the students during the fall sports meetings. The new policy is also posted on the district's website.
Parents or guardians of all high school and middle school students will be encouraged to attend a district-conducted information session. Both the student and parent/guardian will be required to sign a written consent for random testing. Any student who participates in football, soccer, cross country, softball, volleyball, golf, tennis, basketball, wrestling, track, baseball, cheerleading, dance, winter guard, band, choir, speech/debate, academic bowl, or who purchases an MHS parking permit is included in the testing pool.
Students who wish to drop out of the drug pool must have their parent come to the school and meet with school officials. Withdrawal will result in ineligibility from extra-curricular or co-curricular activities for 365 days, as well as loss of parking privileges.
The consequences for testing positive are: First offense, five-week suspension from in-season MSHAA competitions and parking privileges; second offense, suspension from MSHAA competition and parking privileges for one year; a third offense will result in suspension from MSHAA competition and parking privileges for the remainder of high school career.
Possible substances tested for include, but are not limited to Opiates, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, oxycodone, methamphetamines, cocaine and marijuana.
Prior to any action, the parent and student will be given an opportunity to discuss the results with a medical review officer. The expense of any subsequent testing is the responsibility of the student and parent. A positive result does not imply possession of any substance.
Board member Elwood Rice supports the drug testing policy, but feels the district should have zero tolerance for violators. He said "there are some coaches who don't even want them on their team."
"I don't see how they are dealing with the issue if we are slapping them on the hand, and them putting them back on the team. What is the message being sent to the other players and parents? We need to be tough right from the start," Rice said.
Board President Kenny Hoover noted however that "everybody deserves a second chance."
"We're all being realistic, there are kids that don't excel (for various reasons). I think everyone deserves a second chance. If we give you a chance to fix it and you don't, shame on you."
Any violations that occur at the end of the school year or during the off-season of a particular sport, will be rolled over into the next year, administration said. Hoover also noted to board members and the administration that the policy can be "tweaked" if it doesn't work the first year.
"Having something in place is better than what we've had in the past," Hoover said.
The board also discussed the Chevron/Energy Efficiency Project, and gave the approval for the district to make the second payment installment. According to Superintendent Tina Woolsey the project is progressing very well, and is on track timewise.
"Chevron is currently in the process of working at Hawthorne and McMillan schools, and the windows at the high school are beautiful," Woolsey noted. "Mr. Ridgeway has been very pleased with the quality of the people on the site and the quality of attention that Chevron has given to our project. We appreciate that they have dealt with the school district very well."
The board approved payment 5-0-1. Board member Robby Miller abstained.
Board members also reviewed preliminary numbers for the fiscal year 2011 budget. Final numbers will be presented at the board's August meeting.
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Mexico School Board members held a special meeting Tuesday to discuss and approve a random drug testing policy for its middle and high school students. Testing is set to begin this fall. Students not complying with the policy will not be eligible for any extracurricular activities.
Beginning with the 2010-2011 school year, the Mexico School District will conduct random drug testing by urinalysis for all students in grades seven though twelve who apply for parking permits or participate in MSHAA-sponsored activities. Board members voted unanimously to accept the policy.
Administration believes the policy will not only assist in their efforts to provide a drug-free educational experience, but it also gives students the tools they need to 'Just Say No.'
"The feedback has been good and very positive from several parents," Assistant Superintendent Kevin Freeman told The Ledger following the noon meeting held at Central Office. "It will also give a child a legitimate excuse to fight peer pressure."
Administration said they reviewed policies from different school districts, and chose one similar to Camdenton School District's policy.
Copies of the new policy will be handed out during fall registration, and discussed with the students during the fall sports meetings. The new policy is also posted on the district's website.
Parents or guardians of all high school and middle school students will be encouraged to attend a district-conducted information session. Both the student and parent/guardian will be required to sign a written consent for random testing. Any student who participates in football, soccer, cross country, softball, volleyball, golf, tennis, basketball, wrestling, track, baseball, cheerleading, dance, winter guard, band, choir, speech/debate, academic bowl, or who purchases an MHS parking permit is included in the testing pool.
Students who wish to drop out of the drug pool must have their parent come to the school and meet with school officials. Withdrawal will result in ineligibility from extra-curricular or co-curricular activities for 365 days, as well as loss of parking privileges.
The consequences for testing positive are: First offense, five-week suspension from in-season MSHAA competitions and parking privileges; second offense, suspension from MSHAA competition and parking privileges for one year; a third offense will result in suspension from MSHAA competition and parking privileges for the remainder of high school career.
Possible substances tested for include, but are not limited to Opiates, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, oxycodone, methamphetamines, cocaine and marijuana.
Prior to any action, the parent and student will be given an opportunity to discuss the results with a medical review officer. The expense of any subsequent testing is the responsibility of the student and parent. A positive result does not imply possession of any substance.
Board member Elwood Rice supports the drug testing policy, but feels the district should have zero tolerance for violators. He said "there are some coaches who don't even want them on their team."
"I don't see how they are dealing with the issue if we are slapping them on the hand, and them putting them back on the team. What is the message being sent to the other players and parents? We need to be tough right from the start," Rice said.
Board President Kenny Hoover noted however that "everybody deserves a second chance."
"We're all being realistic, there are kids that don't excel (for various reasons). I think everyone deserves a second chance. If we give you a chance to fix it and you don't, shame on you."
Any violations that occur at the end of the school year or during the off-season of a particular sport, will be rolled over into the next year, administration said. Hoover also noted to board members and the administration that the policy can be "tweaked" if it doesn't work the first year.
"Having something in place is better than what we've had in the past," Hoover said.
The board also discussed the Chevron/Energy Efficiency Project, and gave the approval for the district to make the second payment installment. According to Superintendent Tina Woolsey the project is progressing very well, and is on track timewise.
"Chevron is currently in the process of working at Hawthorne and McMillan schools, and the windows at the high school are beautiful," Woolsey noted. "Mr. Ridgeway has been very pleased with the quality of the people on the site and the quality of attention that Chevron has given to our project. We appreciate that they have dealt with the school district very well."
The board approved payment 5-0-1. Board member Robby Miller abstained.
Board members also reviewed preliminary numbers for the fiscal year 2011 budget. Final numbers will be presented at the board's August meeting.
