Twenty-two Hennessey seventh-12th grade students involved in extra-curricular activities will be randomly drug tested this month and every month except May.

That’s what Superintendent Jason Sternberger told the school district’s board of education last Monday night before it approved a seven-page drug policy that involves only students in extra-curricular activities.

The policy does not affect a student’s academic studies, Sternberger said when the board discussed the policy at last month’s meeting.

He said he wanted feedback from parents.

Public comments on new policy

Sternberger said the policy had been on the school’s website for a month and he’d had these two comments: more random testing is needed and another person felt it’s the parents’ place to monitor their child.

Although testing is random, a parent may request in writing that their child be tested and the school will pay for it.

The policy states that if a student tests positive for drugs, they may have two possible chances to stay involved in their extra-curricular activity.

(Note: Another school policy deals with any student who has tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs on school grounds [or within 500 feet of school property], or at any school activity. “That student would be immediately suspended from school.”)

Drug Testing Consent Form

Students in extra-curricular activities and a parent/guardian will be given copies of the new drug testing policy and both the student and a parent/guardian must sign a drug testing consent form.

If a student refuses to submit to a drug test authorized by the policy, then the student is subject to suspension from all extra-curricular activities.

Extra-curricular activities include sports, music, band, debate, ag events, etc.

What happens if a student tests positive for drugs?

First offense – Parent/guardian immediately contacted and are shown test results. Drug counseling required (paid by school). The student must agree to a second drug test. If the student and parents agree with that and other provisions, the student may continue to participate in the activity.

Second offense (in same school year) – Immediate suspension in all extra-curricular activities for 14 days, completion of four hours of substance abuse education/counseling provided by school. Then the student is tested monthly for the rest of the school year.

Third offense (in same school year) – Suspension from participation in all extra-curricular activities, including all meetings, practices, performances and competition for the remainder of the year. If this occurs

He said he wants to during the second semester, the student must test negative at the start of the new school year.

Testing company

The board approved Sternberger’s recommendation to approve a service agreement for student drug testing with Alcohol & Drug Testing Inc. in Tuttle.

The firm will test for THC (marijuana), cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamines, opiates and benzodiazepines.

Testing costs are $20 for a negative drug test, $30 if it screens positive and is sent to lab, plus 20-cents a mile for mileage.

Superintendent’s report

The superintendent commended the principals from last year because the school received 2021-22 accreditation statuses for all four school sites with no deficiencies.

He is getting two quotes for work on the track, information on canopies for outside the Eagle Event Center, said the gate is cut on the west side of the football field, the concession stand is painted and work at the softball fields should start at the end of the year. Sternberger said they’ll have to get creative and work with the town on some other ballpark work. update the dress code for teachers and administrators because “some of it is a little bit antiquated” and said he wants to get with other staff for suggestions.

He said elementary school teachers have to get down on the floor with students so the current requirements definitely wouldn’t work for them.

The policy lists no jeans or t-shirts except on the last work day of the week for female teachers, no sweats or wind suits and no flip-flops or Crocs.

It calls for male teachers to wear collared shirts and slacks except for the last day of week when they could wear jeans and a t-shirt. Also, male administrators “are to wear” a tie three days a week, dress shoes, no tennis shoes or sandals.

When he mentioned those requirements, there was laughter from the audience that included all the principals and other school staffers.

Other business

The board approved an agreement with the town to continue to provide a school resource officer for the new school year; a resolution to transcript computer, math and science classes taught at Chisholm Trail Technology Center; and a resolution with Prosperity Bank to enroll in a School Advantage Purchasing Card.

Present at the meeting

All board members were present: President Dr. James Matthew Matousek, Vice President Luke Lough, Clerk Patrick Griffin, Cristopher Choate and David Tillman. Timberly Jech, office manger and minutes clerk, was also at the board table along with Sternberger.

In the audience were Chandra Seiger and school principals Josh Faulkner (HS); Ricardo Tarango (MS); Barry Crosswhite (ES), and Stacey Mack (ECC)). Also, Todd Cameron, technology director; Rae Fuksa, technology specialist, and Allison Hurst, MS special education teacher.