Since the fall, a controversial drug-testing program had been enacted and implemented by the Alexander School Board. However, due to a possible violation in a state law requiring public agencies to have their meetings open to the public, the program has temporarily been put on hold.
Under the guidelines of the program, students who participate in athletics and cheerleading and those who drive to school were forced to submit to a drug test. Not only did this policy unnecessarily infringe on the privacy of students, it also unfairly subjected a cross-section of the student body to extra scrutiny in hopes of deterring a small percentage of students who actually use drugs. Although the temporary suspension of the policy is welcomed, until the policy is defeated on its lack of merit rather than on a technicality, opponents of the program need to continue to pressure the school board about this troublesome policy.
The move to suspend the policy was determined by a 4-1 vote by school board members because of the possibility of a lawsuit. Some opponents believe the committee, which implemented the drug-testing policy, should have had open meetings to allow for input by more parents, students and other concerned parties. Although the lawsuit seems to have been sidestepped, the school board is still guilty of dealing in bad faith with parents and students, and whether intentional or unintentional, it is unacceptable to have had any part of the decision-making process behind closed doors.
But as irksome as the possible violation of the open meeting law is, the mere existence of this policy is the most troubling aspect of the situation. It unfairly targets athletes whose engagement in after-school activities could actually make them less plausible candidates for possible drug use, and students who drive to school who could choose not to drive to avoid testing.
Rather than subjecting the entire school to scrutiny, the school board should replace the cancelled policy with a plan that extends drug-education programs and focuses on individual cases as a more practical solution - and certainly a more appropriate approach by the school - to possible student drug use.
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... to Alexander's selective drug tests
