Students wishing to participate in extra curricular activities and school sports will be required to consent to random drug testing at schools in the area. Staff photo [Click to enlarge]

Kennett Public Schools have adopted a policy in which they will test any student involved in extra curricular activities and any student who wishes to park their vehicle on school property.

Students must return a signed consent form in order to participate in extra curricular activities or park on the school property.

A computer program will randomly select individuals to be tested based on a number identifying system.

The drug testing coordinator will keep a list of the names of students that are eligible to be tested, along with their corresponding number that the program will use.

The tests will be administered in a controlled environment, with a same-sex staff member issuing the test.

The individual being tested will give their specimen behind a closed stall door with the staff member waiting outside.

If a positive test result occurs, the student and his or her parent/guardian shall be given the opportunity to submit additional information to the district administrator or the testing facility.

If the result is found to be in violation of the policy, the superintendent or designee will immediately suspend the student from all covered activities and will schedule a conference with student, the parent/guardian, and the extra curricular activity coordinator.

For a first offense, the student will be suspended from participation in all covered activities for a minimum of 30 school days and must pass a drug test administered by the district prior to being reinstated in covered activities.

As an alternative first offense punishment, with the consent of the student and the parent/guardian, the superintendent may reduce the suspension to 15 school days pending the student meet the following requirements:

* Within one week of the conference, the student must receive or be enrolled in substance abuse counseling form an alcohol and drug abuse agency that is certified by the Missouri Department of Mental Health, Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse.

* The student will be required to consent to drug tests every time the district conducts random drug testing for the rest of the school year.

For a second offense, the student will be suspended from participation in all covered activities for a minimum of 365 school days and must pass a drug test administered by the district prior to being reinstated in covered activities. The student will also be required to submit to drug tests every time the district conducts random drug testing for the rest of the school year.

In the event of a third offense, the student will be prohibited from participating in all covered events for the rest of their enrollment with the district.

"Personally," Superintendent Jerry Noble said, "I believe the main benefit of the policy is that it helps students with peer pressure and gives them an excuse to say, 'No.'"

The Holcomb School District has adopted a similar policy, however they also have an alcohol and drug abuse policy.

According to Holcomb Superintendent Jeff Bullock, their drug testing policy includes students involved in any school related extra curricular activity and any student who drives.

The individuals who are to be tested are selected through a computer-based lottery, similar to the one from the Kennett District.

If an individual tests positive, they will be suspended from all related activities for 10 school days and must pass a new test prior to being allowed to participate again.

"The kids represent the school and we have certain expectation of them. This policy also provides them an out where they're not embarrassed to say no," said Bullock.

The Senath School District also has a drug testing policy in place, however, it only relates to students involved in extra curricular activities. Students who drive are not tested.

According to Senath-Hornersville High School Principal Kim Campbell, their policy is not tied directly to discipline.

A student who tests positive will be suspended for 30 school days from all related activities. After the suspension, they will be reinstated.

"At Senath-Hornersville, the drug testing policy has gone over vey well for both students and parents. It makes our school a better place to attend. It's in the best interest of our students, and that is what any policy should be for," said Campbell.