Waldwick March 9, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 7 School board introduces random drug testing policy The Waldwick Board of Education has introduced a random drug testing policy for high school students that could, if approved, be implemented as a one-year pilot program as early as the 2011-12 academic year. Among the board members present at last week’s meeting, all voted to introduce the policy, save trustee Dominic Novelli, who abstained after hearing input from members of the public who oppose the policy. Waldwick Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patricia Raupers told Villadom TIMES that the district would work to honor as many residents’ concerns as possible before moving forward. She indicated that the comments and suggestions from the public will be reviewed by the high school principal, the board of education’s Policy Committee, and the school board’s attorney. Dr. Raupers noted that the policy would give students an additional reason to resist drug or alcohol use. “This is the strongest case (for the policy), to me,” Raupers said. She pointed out that, at present, the state mandates that any student who appears to be affected by substance abuse of any kind be tested and evaluated. She noted that the policy cannot take away a student’s right to an education, but could potentially remove a privilege. The policy states that students who participate in privileged activities, such as extracurricular activities and parking on the high school campus, would be subject to the random testing. “While enrollment in the random drug/ alcohol testing program is voluntary, students who choose not to enroll may not participate in any extracurricular activities and may not park on campus,” the policy states. As introduced, the proposed policy states that the board encourages students to refrain from the illegal consumption of controlled dangerous substances and alcohol, and wants to institute the policy in order to promote a drug-free lifestyle. According to the policy, the program is designed to deter drug and alcohol abuse and to provide a means for early detection of same, to give high school students an opportunity to join a drug and alcohol prevention program, to give parents a vehicle to encourage their students to remain drug- and alcohol-free, and to give students the opportunity to take a collective stand against substance abuse.” The policy calls for a consent form that would be executed by the student and his or her parent or guardian. Students would also have the option to drop out of the random testing program. The policy states that, on a periodic basis during the school year, the confidential identification numbers of all students participating in the random drug testing program would be placed in a pool from which the superintendent and his/her designee would randomly draw the names of students to be tested. Students would be immediately notified and tested the same day. Parents and guardians would receive a courtesy phone call. Students who refuse to be tested, avoid the test, or tamper with the test, would be suspended from extracurricular activities or have their parking privileges revoked. Selected students would be called to the main office and escorted to a secured bathroom. A representative from Quest Diagnostics would administer the collection process and prepare the specimens for transportation. Students would be present to observe the representative as the specimens are being prepared. Testing would be carried out at a remote location, and the school would be notified of the results within 48 hours. The board would cover all costs associated with the testing process. Under the policy, a student who has been tested would not be exempt from future testing. A second hearing of the policy was previously set for this month’s board of education meeting, but the superintendent said that hearing may be postponed. Massage Envy to present at 5K Massage Envy Spa of Waldwick will be the presenting sponsor of this year’s Waldwick 5K Run and 1 Mile Walk, scheduled for Sunday, May 1. This is the fourth year the Waldwick Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the popular event, which last year drew 350 participants. The certified course is also sanctioned as a USATF Grand Prix event, which assures even greater participation from serious runners, according to Run Chairman Stan Kowalski. 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