Any Warrenton High School student who tests positive for drugs will be required to complete an awareness, education or intervention program organized by the school district.
The school board voted April 12 to amend the current policy adopted a month earlier and finalize what kind of enforcement should be in place for a first offense.
The policy requires all high school students who are involved in extracurricular activities or park on district property to be subject to random drug testing.
When the school board voted in March to adopt the drug testing policy, members preferred to eliminate the need for a counseling program to be required for a first offense to help reduce the expense for families. Concerns were raised that since the district was not paying for the counseling program, families might not be able to afford to send their child to counseling.
Under the amendment approved by the board earlier this month, the school district will cover the expense for the awareness, education or intervention program, but that it would be at a minimal cost.
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Gregg Klinginsmith told board members that a workbook will be required to be completed by offending students and will cost the district $1 apiece.
When a student tests positive for drugs for the first time, they will be prohibited from participating in activities and parking on the district’s property for 10 consecutive participation or school days.
For a second and third offense, the suspension period will increase to 90 days and one calendar year, respectively. Students must pass a district-administered drug test and complete a drug or alcohol counseling program prior to participating in activities again.
A fourth offense will prohibit students from participating in any extracurricular activities or parking on the district’s property.
Students will still be able to attend class during the period they are suspended from participating in activities or parking at the school, according to officials.
Conducting the random tests will cost the district around $7,000 annually. That expense will be offset by a $35 annual parking fee charged to student drivers, officials said. Currently, there is no parking fee.
For students who do not participate in extracurricular activities or park at school, parents will be able to voluntarily enroll them in the drug testing program. If the student tests positive for drugs, the parent or guardian will be notified, but the student will not be penalized, according to the policy.
The district also plans to host a volunteer drug testing night twice a year. There will be no consequences if a student tests positive and parents will be responsible for paying for the test.
