Ellis USD 388 suspends implementation of random drug testing policy

By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

The Ellis USD 388 school board voted to suspend implementation of a new random drug testing policy during a special meeting on August 16.

The policy was included in the 2024-25 school handbook and was set to take effect this fall. It would have required random drug testing of students participating in Kansas State High School Activities Association activities by an outside company.

However, parents raised concerns about the lack of communication to parents about the policy, as well as the lack of a clear implementation plan and costs.

Board member Latisha Haag said the policy was introduced because of drug problems last school year.

“We started this process last January because coaches were coming to us because students were coming to our training sessions who were clearly under the influence of something,” Haag said.

“It not only hindered the participation of this student. It also hindered the participation of other students because training had to be stopped. At one point an ambulance had to be called and on the way there the trainer in the ambulance learned that the person was under the influence of alcohol,” she said.

Haag added: “This is happening in our schools. I don't think we have a problem, but it's there. I think that's something we need to make clear to people.”

The committee that created the policy included administrators, a police officer, teachers, a coach and a school nurse.

Parents or students were not involved.

The drug policy was passed during a special meeting on Aug. 5. Board members said the final vote was delayed because the district is waiting to hire a new high school/middle school principal.

However, the board wanted to approve the policy for inclusion in the student handbook for the 2024-25 school year.

Drug testing should only be administered to students in grades 9 through 12 at KSHAA activities. Parents of high school students have been notified of the new policy via email.

At the August 16 meeting, some parents said they were not against drug testing, but wanted to learn more about how it would be implemented and would have liked better communication with parents.

Board members said they see the tests as a deterrent and an opportunity to help students with possible drug problems.

“It's not meant to punish students. It's meant to be a deterrent, if there's a problem, identify it and offer help to students,” said board member Brain Shannon.

Parents expressed concerns about student privacy and costs.

According to the committee, only the school administration, the testing company, the student himself and his parents have access to the test results.

The estimated cost of the exam was $60 to $70 per student.

The Commission has not yet determined which substances it will test for, but stated that alcohol and nicotine will not be tested.

Shannon said police would only be contacted if a student was found to be in possession of illegal substances on school property.

“If one student is using drugs, that's a problem. It's not a pandemic. Do we wait until there are 10 students before we deal with it? Do we wait until there are 50 students before we deal with it?” he said.

Although Haag ultimately voted with the board to suspend the tests, she said she did not believe they should be postponed until next year.

“We've been looking at this since last December. We didn't just do it. We started talking to people and asking questions back in January,” she said. “If you look at the board meetings, they're there.”

Board member Cindy Hertel said she believes the district should wait to begin testing.

“Our school is so small that there are hardly any students who are not affected by this,” she said. “It's not aimed at athletes. It's meant to deter people. I also understand that we need more answers.”

No timetable was given for the implementation of the directive.

Below you will find Ellis Public Schools' complete substance abuse policy, including the section on random drug testing.

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POLICIES ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN SPORTS AND ACTIVITY:

*Possession or consumption of alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs and other controlled substances.

1. Students participating in school-sponsored athletic programs or extracurricular student organizations are subject to this policy, which applies to those students 24 hours a day, any location, and between seasons. Consequences apply to both athletic and all non-athletic organizations. This policy may not cover every possible scenario. Some interpretation is left to the coach/sponsor and administration.
2. The use and/or possession or promotion of tobacco products or nicotine delivery devices by students is prohibited in any school district facility, on school vehicles, at any school-sponsored activity, program or event, or on school property or grounds operated by the school.
3. Violations must be documented by law enforcement, teachers/staff, school administration, social media, or other sources deemed credible by the following three people: coach/sponsor of the sport or organization, principal/AD.
4. It is a violation of this policy to be under the influence of, possess, use, distribute, sell, or attempt to sell any of the substances or devices listed above. Violations will be subject to disciplinary action and/or legal action by the administration. It is not a violation for a student to be in possession of a medication that has been specifically prescribed for personal use by his or her own physician.
5. Students who are concerned about their substance abuse and voluntarily report this to faculty or staff will not face disciplinary action. Confidentiality will be maintained in seeking and providing assistance to such a student. Self-disclosure may be used one time to avoid disciplinary action and must be done before a determination is made that they have violated this policy.
6. Consequences of violations:
7. FIRST OFFENSE:
8. HS soccer – 1 game HS volleyball – 3 games
9. HS basketball – 2 games HS athletics – 1 competition
10. HS Baseball/Softball – 2 games Wrestling – 1 event
11. Cross Country – 1 event Golf – 1 event
12. HS Cheerleading* – takes place at the same time as the event the season is currently in, i.e. Football – 1 game, HS Basketball – 2 games, etc.**