The Panther Valley School District's student drug testing policy continues to come under question by parents in the district. Recently, Morgan Thomas, a parent of six, including two PV graduates and four current students, questioned the legality of the policy and indicated that he will not be "bullied" into signing the consent forms for his children to be tested, even if this means that they will not be allowed to participate in school activities, including the prom.
"We live in a society where you're innocent until proven guilty," he said. "This policy turns that around." Thomas called on the district to educate children as to the dangers of drug use. "If you show them here's the pros, here's the cons, they'll make the right decision," he said.
Board directors and Superintendent Rosemary Porembo stood by their decision to enact the policy. Porembo sited safety concerns and later pointed out that the safety of students is one of the fundamentals of the policy. "We're here to protect the safety and health of everyone," said Director Koreen Nalesnik. Director Dave Hiles compared it to mandatory testing truck drivers need to take annually in order to keep their licenses. Policy committee chair Anthony DeMarco said that the policy had been worked on for six or seven months and would stand as approved.
In other matters, the board accepted the resignation of Julie Gower as 6th grad team leader at the middle school, and appointed Shannon McBride to fill the position until the end of the school year. Deborah Schaller was hired as a one-on-one instructional aide for a CCTI student, effective immediately. Marry Dillon was transferred from CCTI instructional aide to Grade 6/Life Skills instructional aide, effective immediately. Mary Hoffman was appointed as the classrooms for the future instructional technology coach, effective immediately. Vickie Maynes and Stephen Harrison were approved as a permanent part-time custodians, effective immediately.
Kathie Crampsie and Pat Vito were approved as advisors for Harmony Scholars for 2010. Jennifer Mikovich was approved as a volleyball scorebook keeper for the 2010-2011 season.
The board approved the fourth payment to Schneider Electric in the amount of $330,639.57 for the summer 2010 project.
PrintThis
Comments
Many School districts that I speak with have similar concerns regarding drug testing of students. While on the surface this seems to display an invasion of ones rights and privacy, taking a closer look may sway public opinion.
For starters, no drug testing policy anywhere, whether in schools or at the workplace, should be without a resolution procedure. In other words, "you've caught me, now what?" Schools that have a zero tolerance policy and throw the poor soul out on the streets are doing a injustice to society. These students are not being given a chance to be evaluated, readjusted or given any treatment available through local and governmental assistance. Any drug testing policy needs to have a back up plan. A plan that assists students who are shown to have illicit drugs in their systems to be evaluated, rehabilitated, and given an opportunity to be readmitted. Otherwise to turn a back to a young person and not help them is equivalent to poor parenting. Many students are already victims of this, whether they want to admit it is another issue. As responsible school administrators it is their job to provide a safe, and rewarding educational environment and if it means going the extra yard to provide drug rehabilitation resources either within their own borders or through other means then it would make sense to drug test students. Drug experimentation begins earlier and earlier these days with students experiencing marijuana as early as 9 years old.
Legal synthetic cannabinoids such as K2 or Spice, are being obtained and smoked with similar euphoric effects and goes without testing even in institutions that should be testing for it.
Being "bullied" into drug testing is not because it is an invasion of one's privacy, it is for the safety of others. Just consider the ramifications of a known drug abuser who "shakes down" their co-students for money to purchase drugs. Would a parent agree its better to have caught this Bully and give him rehab and remove him from endangering others? Its common sense.
Random drug testing is the way to go. It deters, it detects and prevents. But not without a resolution policy.