Whitefish OKs forms for school drug testing

The Daily Inter Lake

Beginning next fall, students in Whitefish public schools will start undergoing voluntary drug testing at the school, but only at the behest of their parents or guardians.

If parents decide against the random testing in school and at school-sponsored events, they can let their wishes be known to school authorities and avoid having their children tested.

Whitefish school trustees on Jan. 13 approved a pair of forms that allow parents to opt in or opt out of the drug testing.

The forms will accompany Board Policy 3350, the provision for the voluntary testing that was adopted on second reading and became a formal part of school policy at the board meeting.

Medications that students currently are taking and other information will be collected on the opt-in form, then kept in a confidential student file.

Now school officials must choose the outside testing agency that will conduct the testing and get the firm under contract for the 2009-10 school year.

In other business, the school board:

. Deleted a policy dealing with chemical use and other training rules for extracurricular activities, then adopted a revised form as a board procedure under Student Discipline Policy 3310.

It makes sure students are tested, sign insurance waivers in case of accidents, provide a list of medications they are taking and submit a parent consent form.

. Approved the Montana High School Association's policy proposals for 2009.

. Approved the transfers and hires of Rochelle MacArthur as district crossing guard; Jill Myhre and Megan McMahon, both as half-time Whitefish Middle School girls basketball coaches; and James Sturtevant as half-time district technology specialist. They also approved Dani Jenkins' resignation as Middle School Special Education aide.