Ord Public Schools is investigating the advantages of offering random mandatory drug testing for students involved in all extra-curricular and co-curricular activities in the 2017-18 school year.
Superintendent Jason Alexander said the discussion evolved as board members addressed the idea of helping students avoid negative peer pressure in choices related to the types of situations that revolve around the use of illegal substances. Ord Board members first considered the idea in their January Board meeting to decide if it was even an option they wanted to pursue.
All six Board members agreed that if the testing could promote a healthier lifestyle, offer students an “out” to peer pressure, and possibly save a life, it was worth the investment.
A positive test would result in suspension from extracurricular activities. A first offense would bring about a 20-day suspension. However, if a student self-reports, the suspension could be reduced to 10 days, as is current practice.
The program would be coordinated between Ord Public Schools and a third party administrator (SportSafe). The third party administrator would be responsible for providing a Medical Review Officer who randomly selects the students, utilizing a computer program, coordinating the testing with the school, and sending the tests to the lab for analysis.
More information will be provided as the Board continues to discuss this program and its implementation in 2017-18.
