Brownwood News – The Brownwood Independent School District’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved a plan for the Extracurricular Random Drug Testing Policy during its monthly meeting. BISD Superintendent Dr. Joe Young presented the plan for the Extracurricular Random Drug Testing Policy for board approval.
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The plan presented was identical to the initial plan presented in March of this year, with the addition of language that allows for a parent’s voluntary enrollment of children not included in extracurricular programs. A report was given on the vendor search for the testing, with the recommendation made to select Southwest Consortium out of San Angelo as the BISD vendor, given their experience in the field and their presentation of the lowest bid among the seven bids sought and five bids received.
Brad Jetton motioned for approval of the policy as presented and for awarding Southwest Consortium the vendor contract, with Diane Thompson seconding the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.
Dr. Young clarified that once the policy was approved, the decision would then be made on the percentage of qualified students to be tested in the upcoming school year.
The policy states students in grades 7-12th who participate in school-sponsored extracurricular activities will be required to sign a consent form agreeing to participate in the drug-testing program. All drug test results will be kept confidential.
If a student refuses to be tested or presents evidence of tampering with a sample, their test results will automatically be considered positive.
A student with a first-time positive test result will have to complete counseling within 45 days and submit to additional drug testing during a 90-day period. After a second failed test, the student will be suspended for 30 school days from extracurricular activities and will be assigned additional counseling and drug testing during a 90-day period. Students with three or more offenses will be suspended for a full school year from extracurricular activities.
The school district will pay for any required drug education or counseling programs.
A student can appeal a positive test result, but they will be ineligible to participate in extracurricular activities while the appeal is pending.
The policy clarifies no student will be penalized academically (suspended from classes) for testing positive for illegal drugs.