SANDWICH SCHOOLS CONSIDERS POLICY ON RANDOM DRUG TESTING FOR ALL STUDENTS

SANDWICH - A random drug testing program for students in grades six to
12 is being considered by the Sandwich School District.

The plan being evaluated is modeled after a Plano schools program in
which all of the students are involved, according to school officials.

A committee has been formed to examine the feasibility of a drug
testing policy. Bob Miller and Vicki Scharenberg are the School Board
representatives on the committee.

"The committee will soon begin to meet and discuss various factors of
recommending to the Board of Education the implementation of a random
drug screening policy beginning with the 2012-2013 school year,"
Superintendent Rick Schmitt said.

"This policy has the potential of including all students," he
said.

He added that mandatory drug testing for students "in privileged
activities" is quite likely.

Privileged activities include student government, athletics, music,
fine arts and other programs, "or even wanting to purchase a parking
permit," Schmitt said.