MENTONE - Random drug testing of students may return to Tippecanoe Valley Schools in the 2007-08 school year.
Monday, Assistant Superintendent Brett Boggs presented the school board with information on a student random drug and alcohol testing program and a student assistance program.
The board will vote on the issue at its July 9 meeting.Valley conducted random drug testing of student athletes in grades 6-12 for several years, through the 1999-2000 school year. In August 2000, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled random student drug testing programs violated the Indiana Constitution. Indiana schools temporarily suspended random drug testing until the Indiana Supreme Court allowed Indiana schools to resume random student drug testing programs during the 2002-03 school year. Valley did not resume their random drug testing.
Boggs said the court ruling now allows more students to be randomly tested and is not limited to just athletes. Students that will be tested as part of Valley's program will include students in co-curricular activities, extracurricular activities and students who drive to school. Students who are at least 18 years old also may voluntarily participate in the random drug testing. Parents of students under the age of 18 also may consent to have their student participate, Boggs said.
Midwest Toxicology has performed Valley's drug testing for school bus drivers for many years. They also will conduct the random testing for the students.
The testing, Boggs said, is not to punish students, but to give them a reason to stay away from drugs and alcohol.
If the school board approves the policies regarding the random testing, Boggs said it will be implemented beginning in the fall. Presentations will be made to parents and students so they know what to expect.
Boggs said he hopes grant money will pay for the testing.
Athletic Director Duane Burkhart also presented changes to the athletic code and coaches handbook, which the board will consider at its July meeting.
The school board requested more information on policies regarding coaches.
In other business, the school board:
- Approved the bid from Fifth Third Bank, Indianapolis, for tax anticipation warrants for $3.5 million at an interest rate of 4.09 percent. Fifth Third Bank was the lowest of five bids received for the loan.
Because distribution of property tax revenue is delayed this year, the school board in May approved a temporary loan. The loan will cover expenses of the corporation from through Dec. 31.
The $3.5 million will cover a general fund of $1.38 million, a debt service fund of $1.455 million, a capital project fund of $147,000, a transportation fund of $400,000, and a bus replacement fund of $118,000.
The loan will be repaid after the corporation receives its full tax distributions.
- Announced the following upcoming meetings: June 18, capital projects fund workshop, Mentone Elementary School, 7:30 p.m.; July 9, regular meeting, Mentone Elementary, 7:30 p.m.; and Aug. 13, regular meeting, Mentone, 7:30 p.m.
- Hired Johanna Martin as a special education teacher at Akron Elementary; Krystyna Martin, art teacher, Tippecanoe Valley Middle School; Jenny Stiffler, instructional assistant, Akron; and Sarah Theile, teacher, hearing impaired.
- Hired Eric Carlin, grade 9 football, Tippecanoe Valley High School; and Ben Rogers, assistant football coach, TVHS.
- Accepted the resignation of B.J. Walls, softball coach.
- Approved textbook rental fees for the 2007-08 school year. Fees are $70 for kindergarten; $90, first grade; $102, second grade; $110, third grade; $92, fourth grade; $96, fifth grade; $89, sixth grade; $94, seventh grade; and $92, eighth grade.
- Approved summer school contracts.
- Approved a resolution to transfer $83,756 from the capital projects fund to the transportation fund to pay costs attributed to reductions in funding for transportation.
Valley School Board members are Dave O'Brien, Bryan Murphy, Rod Eaton, Hal Hoffman and Mark Wise.
