A supporter of the now-rescinded drug testing policy at Alexander schools resigned from the school board Thursday as the remaining members continued to discuss a new drug policy.
Dave Kasler, president of the Alexander School Board before this year, announced his resignation during last Thursday's board meeting in a letter read aloud by Superintendent Robert Bray. Kasler was on the controversial committee that created a drug policy requiring all students who drove to school or participated in extracurricular activities to undergo urine testing.
Some school district parents opposed the drug testing policy, saying the committee meetings in which the policy was created should have been open to the public. The policy was rescinded by a 4-0 vote during the Jan. 12 board meeting.
School board President Fred Davis said Kasler resigned so that he could spend more time with his family. Kasler could not be reached for comment. The board hopes to fill his spot in about a month.
Bray also recommended the board begin a survey campaign in the school district to gain insight for a new drug policy.
Brian Quick, an Ohio University professor in the School of Communication Studies, also will be conducting an independent survey with district parents about how they educate their children about drug prevention.
After Quick's survey, a separate survey will be sent out to school district parents asking what drug policy they would like in Alexander schools.
We're trying to get an assessment of our needs before developing a new policy
Davis said. Instead of just targeting some kids in the school system we want to be able to provide drug education programs to all kids so that they can make wise decisions and also help those who have made poor decisions and need rehabilitation.
Davis said researching a new policy will take three to four months, at which point a committee will provide recommendations. A drug policy committee has not yet been formed.
Meanwhile, Alexander schools are using their original drug policy, which was used before and during the controversial drug testing policy. With this policy, students caught using drugs are assigned to an alternative school that provides special drug programs and counseling.
Sally Jo Wiley, a parent in the district, said she would like to see drug education begin earlier in school.
I would like to see a comprehensive kindergarten through 12th-grade drug prevention program that students would use every year she said. We need to start teaching kids about drugs when they are young ... to the extent that is appropriate for the student's age.
Students at Alexander schools will see a new drug policy no earlier than the beginning of next school year, Davis said.
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