SILVER LAKE DISTRICT DISCUSSES DRUG TESTING OPTIONS

SILVER LAKE -- Random drug testing for athletes remains a possibility
following Monday night's school board meeting.

Unified School District 372 board members directed administrators to
send them copies of drug testing policies used in three Kansas school
districts and one Missouri district and to prepare an explanation of a
possible policy and a questionnaire to be included in a future school
district newsletter.

Random drug testing discussions were sparked after maintenance workers
this summer discovered four hypodermic needles while power spraying the
boys' locker room at Silver Lake High School. The needles were washed
out from the piping above the ventilation duct, said Steve Pegram, USD
372 superintendent.

Pegram said he suspected the needles involved steroid use, but they
have been turned over to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation for a
conclusive analysis.

He estimated the cost of implementing a random drug testing policy at
between $10,000 and $12,000 annually. He said most coaches were in
favor of such a policy, and several board members also expressed
interest Monday.

"We're kidding ourselves if we don't think it's going on," board member
Mike Perry said of drug use. "The sooner we get a policy going, the
better off we'll be as a school district."

During the discussion, board members repeatedly said they wanted to
involve as many community members as possible in the creation of a
possible random drug testing policy and mentioned creating a study
group of parents, staff and students.

In other business, the board established three goals for Pegram, who is
beginning his first year as the district's superintendent. The goals
are to improve communication, use technology more effectively and plan
for budget issues. McPherson and Jacobson Search Consultants, which led
the district through the superintendent selection process, returned
Monday to help the board establish goals and ways to measure whether
they had been completed.

The board approved the three goals but not how they would be measured.

The improved communication goal includes remaining visible in the
community by visiting classrooms and attending community events, and
following up with patrons about why and how decisions are made.

The technology goal includes creating a plan to keep classrooms
equipped with the latest equipment, researching virtual classrooms,
providing work sessions for staff and updating a district technology
plan.

The budget goal includes planning for a declining enrollment,
monitoring proposed changes to special education funding, monitoring
capital outlay projects and exploring an energy management system.