Expanded drug testing, Celina Record

Celina ISD expands drug-testing program Lisa Ferguson, lferguson@starlocalmedia.com Mar 10, 2016 Celina ISD plans to expand the number of random drug tests it performs on some students in the near future. In a letter distributed late last month to parents via email and on social media, the district said doing so “will reinforce the foundation of giving students a reason to make good decisions when it comes to drug and alcohol use.” The district initiated its student drug-testing policy in 2004, when it began testing students who participate in athletic programs at Celina Junior High School and Celina High School. The tests were expanded in 2013 to also include students who participate in extracurricular activities, as well as those who drive vehicles on district campuses. The latest testing expansion will impact the same populations of students. “It’s just that they may be tested more often,” explained Kyle Sheridan, the district’s student drug testing coordinator. There is not a set number of drug tests that the district administers annually to students, he said. “We just do what the (district’s) budget allows us to do, and anytime we have an opportunity to expand that, we do.” Sheridan said he does not know the district’s annual budget allowance for drug testing. “The drug-testing policy is set up so that our students say no” to drugs, he explained. “The way we encourage that is if you’re in a situation that you shouldn’t be, you can always say … `I’ve got to say no because I may be drug tested the next school day,’ and then there are some consequences because of that.” Sheridan said the policy has proven effective for the district. “We’ve heard kids tell us that they have said that and it’s worked, so even if it’s helping just one kid, we’re going to continue to do that in this situation.” Celina ISD partners with a company called Forward Edge to conduct urine drug tests on students, whose names are provided to the company which uses computer software to randomly select individuals for testing. If a student tests negative for drugs in his or her system, no further action is taken. A positive test result requires parental notification. Also, according to the letter, the student must meet with representatives of the Collin County Substance Abuse Program “in an effort to determine what resources are needed to help that individual.” Those resources may include in- or outpatient drug treatment and counseling, Sheridan said, adding that this is the first year Celina ISD has worked with the county’s substance abuse program. “We determine that the kid has an issue. They determine how bad the issue is and where to get the kid help,” he said. The letter also stated that the school district does not consider a student’s positive drug test result a “discipline issue,” and that the information is not placed on his or her school record. “The program is not set up to hurt a kid. We want to get the kid help,” Sheridan said. “If we make it a discipline issue … then it can follow them on their permanent record.” If a student does test positive for drugs, however, he or she will be required to retest each time drug testing occurs at school. “That gives them even more reason to say no the next time they’re confronted with it,” Sheridan said. After a second positive test result, the student will receive a 30-day suspension from participating in athletic and extracurricular activities and competitions, as well as from driving on campus. A third positive test result bumps the suspension length to 90 days. Celina ISD Superintendent Rick DeMasters said the district’s decision to expand its drug-testing program was not made “because we feel like we have a major drug problem here or any more problems than any (other district) does. It’s just an opportunity for us to continue to partner with our parents and put our kids in a better position for success.” The policy “shows our kids and it shows our parents and it shows our community that we want to be more proactive … and that we take those things very seriously,” he said. “Anything we can do to help that process, to help our kids think twice before making the wrong choice, then we’re willing do to whatever it takes to do that.” Follow the Celina Record on Twitter @celinarecord.