D-12's proposed drug-testing policy gets favorable response

Response to proposed random drug testing for Cheyenne Mountain School District 12 students involved in extracurricular activities has been largely favorable, but Superintendent Walt Cooper said recently he wants to keep discussion open for at least a couple of months more.

If the district adopts a policy, it would be the first in the Pikes Peak region to do so. Only three other Colorado districts have random drug testing policies.

The policy would allow for random drug tests on students involved in after-school clubs and sports. But it would not apply during school hours, the district has said, because of a Supreme Court decision that said randomly testing all students is unconstitutional because it could violate their right to a free public education.

District officials and board members began discussing the drug-testing concept after a police investigation last fall into the use of black-tar heroin by D-12 students and former students.

One of the lessons learned, Cooper said, was that students who used drugs had little fear about getting caught.

As a "starting point," D-12 is using a policy similar to one adopted last year by the Holyoke School District, Cooper said. It is posted on the D-12 Web site, along with a Q&A that addresses the most salient issues, he said.

The policy is filled with legal and medical terminology, but Cooper said he doesn't want people to get bogged down in that and lose sight of the bigger concept.

Last week, Cooper sent an e-mail to all parents in the district asking them to review the frequently asked questions and weigh in on the issue. He said that brought about 80 responses within a couple of days.

"Right now it's about 3-to-1 in favor of such a policy," he said. "Many of the people we've heard from would be fine either way. It's not a hot-button issue with them. They say whatever we can do to keep kids safe is OK."

But there are some who believe it's an invasion of privacy and are adamantly opposed, he said.

Although the board had its first reading of the policy in May, it will remain on the agenda as "under discussion" for at least a couple of months before it's brought up for a vote.

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Drug-Testing Discussion

The proposed policy for random drug testing in Cheyenne Mountain School District 12 is on the agenda as a discussion item for the regular board meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the district administration building, 1775 LaClede St.

To see the policy and the Q&A, go to www.cmsd.k12.co.us/d12/board