DRUG TESTS OK'D

Hayden High To Put Students To The Test

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS - The Hayden Board of Education unanimously app-roved a
policy Wednesday night that will require any Hayden High School student who
wants to leave campus during school hours to submit to random drug testing.

The idea was developed and proposed in June by the parent-teacher group,
the School Improvement Team, after Hayden High School Principal Nick
Schafer reported there was a problem with drug abuse, particularly with
marijuana. Two students were caught last school year with marijuana and
several more are suspected users, Schafer said.

One person spoke out against the policy. Tami Green said she opposed the
school policing students instead of educating them about the effects and
ramifications of drug use.

"I want to know: What are the consequences, and what happens if a parent
refuses to consent to have their child tested?" Green asked.

School Board President Kurt Frentress told her to direct her question to
Schafer since the decision already had been made that the board would
proceed to approve the policy, because it was the third and final reading
of the policy.

In other business:

n School District Transportation Director Darren Zehner discussed with the
School Board the operation of coal trucks on Twentymile Road during school
bus route times. He said that in the past, coal trucks from Twentymile Coal
Co. did not drive during bus route times, but they have increased business
and would like to drive trucks throughout the day. To compensate,
Twentymile suggested they would improve the road and possibly build
pullouts on the side of the road at bus stops. Another option suggested was
that Twentymile could implement an electronic system that would tell
drivers that a school bus is on the route.

n At the request of the School Board, Athletics Director Kevin Kleckler
researched what other school districts paid for athletic fees and happily
reported that Hayden is the only school in the Northwest Colorado area that
does not require athletic fees of any kind. "Other districts can't believe
it," Kleckler said. "We're very fortunate."

n Kleckler also reported the possibility of raising money for athletics
through corporate sponsorship. He said that corporations such as Pepsi or
Coca-Cola have paid up to $25,000 at other districts for scoreboards,
equipment or uniforms, to have their name or logo featured on the donated
item or items. Kleckler said he could create a donation wish list for the
athletic department and present it to the School Board later.