The California R-I School Board, meeting May 20 at the high school library media room, discussed the possible introduction of random drug testing and the school facilities and community use.
More information is to be obtained about the random drug testing and a meeting with an outside specialty firm scheduled. Many, if not most schools in the conference have a random drug testing program in place. The actual testing would be performed by an outside firm, as it is in all but one of the schools in the area. The actual implementation of a testing program will require several policies to be developed and set. Generally, students who fall into several categories are tested near the beginning of the school year, and then randomly later during the activity season. Students eligible for testing include those involved in extracurricular activities (for example, sports ), co-curricular activities (for example, band, which has both classroom time and outside activities) and those who drive to school, parking on the school premises.
Another policy which will have to be determined is the penalty for CHS students, since different schools have different policies. Some restrict privileges only, while others may suspend the student or call law enforcement. There is also the matter of penalties on first, second, third, etc. offenses, and how those penalties might progress with each positive test result.
The standard urine drug test panel includes 12 substances, so it also must be decided what to include in the panel used. Board President Jay VanDieren wants the beginning of the testing program announced a month or two before it goes into effect.
Use of the school facilities by the community, community organizations and outside groups was discussed, with the decision that the new baseball-softball field will only be used by school teams for at least the first year. The board made that decision without much discussion, since the new sod needs at least that long to mature into a sturdy outfield and the facilities, such as sidewalks, are not complete. In addition to the sod, the field pitching mound and bases are set up for only the standard school baseball and softball positions, while different age groups and T-Ball require different positions for the mound and bases. Further research will be completed before the policy is amended.
For the football field and track, the consensus is that school activities and practices come first, with others to be scheduled at off times. There will be agreements developed for the use and rules set, including no pets, spectators, lawn chairs, children running or other misuse of the artificial turf. Basically, the rule will be that anyone not involved in the competition will have to be in the stands. There will also have to be someone from the school supervising the activity. Fees for use are yet to be determined.
The board also heard a presentation on a Guy Rush Memorial which is proposed to be placed at the front of the school. The board discussed the proposal, making several suggestions to improve it, including the possibility of one or more benches. The funds are the result of an annual Guy Rush Poker Run.
The board approved the proposal of Brad Friedmeyer to use school facilities for a youth football program.
The board also approved the resignations of Sandy Branch - cook, Letha Peck - food service clerk, Kara Kilmer - cook, Kelsey Luebbert - elementary teacher, Kim Hardwick - middle school math teacher, and Pam Basnett - assistant softball coach.
Elementary School Principal Daniel Williams reported the enrollment at 612. On the last day of school, there was a field day for the elementary students. Summer school is set to begin, with an enrollment of 280. That is a substantial increase over last year. There will be remedial instruction, as well as, enrichment activities offered. The school is coordinating with the California Rec Association to provide the students the opportunity to take part in summer swim lessons as well as summer school. This year was the first experience of the on-line format for state testing. The results were originally suppose to be back to the school district within 10 days of the closing of the assessment, but the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education indicated the results will not be available to the school until late June.
Middle School Principal Matt Abernathy reported 307 students enrolled. The Lions Club Track meet was held at the facility at the high school campus and went well. "The only thing that was lacking was shade," Abernathy said, "but many schools made do with pop-up tents and canopies." The middle school hosted a sixth grade orientation on May 12. This is the third year it has been in the spring, rather than just before the beginning of school in the fall. The spring setting appears to be better, since it allows a better idea of classrooms in use, teachers fresh from the classrooms, parents able to have the entire summer to obtain appropriate supplies and clothing, and students with the summer to read the information presented and ask questions not answered during the orientation. Summer school enrollment has grown slowly, with the goal of 40 students enrolled.
High School Principal Mike Hight reported 398 students enrolled. There were nine early graduates. It was a busy month, with Senior Awards Night, May 11, Baccalaureate, May 13 and Commencement, May 17.
The next regular board meeting is Wednesday, June 24.