School board votes 3-1 to drug test students

Boundary County School Board on Tuesday voted 3-1, with trustee Gil Hagen abstaining, to begin random drug testing on students in seventh through 12th grades who participate in extra-curricular activities.

The board also agreed to drug test teachers on a voluntary basis.

School board member Maria LaBarbera voted against the drug testing, which will begin this the fall.

LaBarbera, instead, proposed drug-testing the school board and all district employees “to show we are exemplary in the eyes of the community.”

“We’re asking minors to waive their rights — to detain them, and make them urinate is an infringement on their body,” she said. “Who doesn’t make a mistake?”

“We should test the board, administrators and personnel to show we have a drug-free school and then test students,” LaBarbera continued.

Students at Bonners Ferry and Riverside high schools and Boundary County Middle School who participate in extra-curricular activities will be tested for marijuana, cocaine, meth and pharmaceutical drugs. The latter seems to be the biggest problem.

It’s estimated that about two-thirds of the students participate in school activities.

Law allows school districts to drug-test students who participate in extra-curricular activities. Other North Idaho schools that do drug screening include Coeur d’Alene/Lake City, Lakeland, St. Maries, Timberlake, Priest River, Grangeville and Post Falls.

The school board last fall formed a committee to formulate policies for drug testing. It would include students in athletics, clubs, band and choir.

School officials are considering a lottery. Students’ names would be placed in a hat and drawn randomly for testing. Names can be drawn more than once.

Drug testing is expected to cost $2,400 for next year. It will be funded with money from the state.