Drug-testing Policy Concerns Parents
Jennifer Griswold
October 11, 2007
The Oklahoman
NEWCASTLE — Members of the Newcastle School Board will meet in special session at 6 p.m. today to revisit the student drug testing policy.
A few parents have voiced concerns about the policy since its implementation at the start of this school year, Superintendent Robert Everett said.
"The board just wants to consider every angle and listen to all the parents' concerns,” he said. The meeting will be in the district's administrative building, 101 N Main.
Parent Bonnie Muehlberg has been vocal in her objection to the policy of conducting random drug tests of students involved in competitive extra-curricular activities.
She has refused to sign the consent form, so her daughter hasn't been allowed to participate in band, she said. As a chemist who has worked in a laboratory setting, Muehlberg said she knows mistakes can happen, and she doesn't want her daughter to have to suffer the stigma of a false positive.
The policy is unfair because it only targets students involved in extra-curricular activities and not all students, Muehlberg said. She wants the school board to make the student drug testing policy voluntary.
Under her suggestion, parents who want their children tested could consent, but those who don't wouldn't be forced to agree to it for their children to participate in extra-curricular activities.
"We feel like our arms are being twisted here,” Muehlberg said. "We can say ‘no,' but if we do, then our children can't remain in their extra-curricular activities. I want the right to say ‘no,' and I'm not really given that option here.”
The school board passed the drug testing policy in May. Several surrounding school districts have similar drug testing policies.
The majority of parents and students didn't find out about Newcastle's policy until students brought home a consent form for parents to sign, Muehlberg said.
She's worried parents weren't given adequate warning or information.
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