Warrenton High School students who are involved in extracurricular activities or drive to school could be subject to random drug testing should the school board adopt a proposed policy. A proposal drafted by the district's lawyers and discipline committee was presented to board members at their Feb. 9 meeting. No action was taken, but further discussion is expected at the March 8 school board meeting. Initially, discussion over implementing a drug testing program began in November after parent John Bradshaw spoke to board members and district officials about the importance of ensuring a drug-free lifestyle for students through random testing. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Gregg Klinginsmith, who reviewed the proposed policy with board members, said drug testing would cost the district $7,000 to issue approximately 200 tests each year. District officials said there is discussion on having a yearly parking fee to help cover the cost. Currently, there is no fee to use the district's parking lots. Klinginsmith said the goal is to help students achieve a drug-free lifestyle. "We want to make sure the kids are getting help instead of trying to hammer them for making mistakes," he said. Student drivers and those who are involved in extracurricular activities would be subject to the random drug testing if the policy is approved. "It would just be for the kids who fall into that pool," Klinginsmith said. Parents also will be able to voluntarily enroll their student in the drug testing program even if they are not involved in any extracurricular activity or drive to school. There would be a number of penalties each time a student tests positive for drugs. A first offense for those in the program will prohibit students from participating in activities and parking on the district's property for 10 consecutive participation or school days immediately following the positive test. A second offense will increase the suspension period to 90 days. A third offense extends the suspension period to one calendar year. Following that year, the student may appeal to a school committee for reinstatement in all activities and parking on the district's property. Students also must pass a district-administered drug test prior to participating in activities again following second and third offenses. A fourth offense will prohibit students from participating in activities or parking on the district's property. Penalties included in the policy, however, would have no bearing on a student's academic status and they would be allowed to attend classes. District officials also stated that there would be no legal ramifications. For each offense, students must participate in a drug or alcohol counseling program before returning to an extracurricular activity. The district would not pay for the counseling program, officials said. Voluntary participants in the drug testing program would not have repercussions for testing positive. District officials said they wanted to be as open as possible to assisting parents and students and if the policy is passed, would provide two voluntary drug testing nights at the expense of parents or guardians. Should a student test positive, there would be no consequence and all results will go directly to parents. Board President Teresa Scott said she was concerned that students would be restricted from participating in activities or driving to school should parents not be able to afford the counseling program. She also noted that time outside of an activity could lead to more dangerous habits. "I don't think the students would participate if they know there is a chance of getting caught," she said. "It's more time to do bad things. "I think this is the parents' responsibility, not the school's," Scott added. "Parents have the ability to do this all themselves." According to district officials, the Troy, Winfield, St. Clair, Mexico, Hannibal, Moberly and Francis Howell school districts all have some form of a drug testing program. District officials also said the Union School District will be implementing random drug testing next year for students. "There wasn't any decrease in (activities) in the districts we've talked to," Klinginsmith reassured. "Academics and attendance are the same, too."