LISBON - A parent registered his objection to development of a drug testing program for school district students participating in sports and other school activities.
"I think that it'd be more of a problem for the community than a solution," said Scott Guappone, speaking at Monday's Lisbon school board meeting.
The board decided at its July meeting to investigate developing a drug-testing policy as an incentive for students to remain drug-free in order to participate in sports and other school activities.
Guappone, the father of three children who attend McKinley Elementary School, argued that any policy would be largely ineffective because the most common drugs used by youths are alcohol and pills, and any trace of their use is gone from the body within 48 hours. The only way for the policy to work would be to test students frequently, but that would be cost prohibitive, he said.
Board president Jim Smith told him they have just begun investigating developing such a policy, "and we are a long way from doing anything."
Board member Jeff Elliott, who recommended they look into developing a policy, said he has received mostly positive feedback.
"Every job I've ever worked I've been drug-tested, and I was in the U.S. Army and they saw fit to drug test," he said.
Board member Gene Gallo was happy Guappone showed up to address the issue. "The most positive thing is we've started to get feedback, which is is important. We don't get much public participation and we're glad when someone shows up," he said.
Superintendent Don Thompson said a community meeting would be held to discuss any such policy before they do anything.
In other action, the board:
- Renewed its annual membership in the Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy for $500. The organization was originally formed about 20 years ago to get the state legislature to change how it funds schools, and the coalition continues to lobby on behalf of school districts on funding issues, Thompson said.
- Contracted with the Family and Children First Council for services for $450.
- Hired R & R Paving of Lisbon to perform some paving work at the football stadium as part of phase three of the stadium renovation project.
- Entered into a contract with IGS Energy to serve as its natural gas broker. Thompson said they decided to go with a variable rate this year instead of a fixed rate because prices continue to drop.
The board's next meeting is 5:30 p.m. Sept. 12.
