First Posted: 2/25/2015
COLUMBUS GROVE — If public perception is used as the measuring stick, Columbus Grove Schools will likely adopt a random drug testing policy in the near future.
About 70 people turned out for a public forum Wednesday at the high school to hear several people speak on what the policy would entail. They also had the chance to ask questions concerning the policy.
The school board has been discussing the possibility of adopting random drug testing since late summer and decided to schedule the meeting to hear from the public and weigh in on any possible concerns. Former Ottawa-Glandorf Superintendent Mike Ruhe, Columbus Grove Police Chief Nick Gilgenbach, and Great Lakes Biomedical President Kyle Prueter made up the panel. The trio discussed student drug testing policies and answered questions.
Prueter said that it was important that parents understand that student drug testing is not designed to “catch” children, it is designed to help them.
“It gives them one more deterrent,” Prueter said. “It is another way to say no. It gives them another out.”
Great Lakes has been selected to give the random tests should the school board adopt the policy. Great Lakes administers tests in 59 Ohio schools, including Findlay, Leipsic, Marion Local and New Bremen. He said the tests can be administered using urine, saliva or hair, with urine the most common.
Traditionally, Prueter said they administer five students weekly selected randomly. The entire process only takes about 10 minutes. He said they can test for a variety of substances and that the board can establish its own policies on what will be tested for and what possible penalties may be. Currently, school policy dictates that a first offense results in sitting out 20 percent of the activity, 50 percent for a second offense and an entire season for a third offense.
Ruhe said random testing was in practice during his tenure and completely private, with usually the principals of the schools and the parents and students having the results. He said the current administration has since dropped the practice, feeling it had done its job and run its course.
Gilgenbach said he felt the testing would be helpful, and said the police would not get involved unless asked.
“Usually what happens is the parents come to us wanting the kids to say where they got it,” he said.
Most in attendance were in favor of the board adopting the policy.
Jim Oglesbee has two children in the school district and said he thought it would be a good policy.
“I think it would be good,” he said. “I think it is worth a try.”
Most parents said they felt the policy could help because of problems they hear going on, primarily alcohol, marijuana and prescription drug use. However, not all parents were on board, mostly for philosophical reasons.
“I don’t agree with it,” Noel Ebling said.
Ebling said he was not in favor of sudents using illegal substances, but thought it was crossing a line.
“I don’t think it is the state’s responsibility,” he said. “Parents should be able to address it on their own and should know their children well enough to know what they are doing.”
Prueter said that only privileged activities can be used in ramifications and results cannot be used against students academically by state law. Students are placed in programs to correct the problem or can opt out, but would lose any privileges, such as sports, clubs or parking passes.
