Kingsport school board considering drug testing policy

KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) – The Kingsport Board of Education (BOE) is considering implementing a drug testing policy for high school students who participate in extracurricular activities.

“That’s basically an activity that a student participates in voluntarily,” Melissa Woods, BOE president, said. “It’s not associated with any type of academic curriculum. They’re not going to get a grade for this activity or earn credit through this activity. So it would be things like athletics, such as football, softball, lacrosse, cheerleading, spirit teams, it would also include competitive band and different clubs, those kinds of things.”

Woods said the policy came up in conversation at their retreat back in the fall by board member, Dr. Brandon Fletcher.

“And being a medical professional, he sees almost on a daily basis the effects of increased drug use by our teens,” Woods said. “And so the concerns and issues associated with that. So we started looking into it a little further and I come to find out these are discussions that’s not new for our district.”

Woods said many other school systems in Tennessee already have drug testing policies in place.

She said the board wants to do everything it can to provide a safe and drug-free environment for students.

“Also just to look at ways we can help to undermine peer pressure for our students and give them a legitimate reason to say no, other than ‘my mom or dad says, you know, I shouldn’t be doing this,’ but give them another reason to refrain from using drugs.”

Woods told News Channel 11 that it’s the board’s goal not to have any positive tests, but if a student does test positive they would not expel or suspend them. Instead, they would receive counseling.

“All of our coaches, educators, sponsors, directors, they want to have a positive influence on their kids and the students that they’re involved with,” Woods said. “But their reach can only go so far. So we want to put students in touch with professional counselors who can really assess the severity of the drug use and then also provide appropriate pathways for a more positive future.”

Students who do test positive though may not be able to participate in their extracurricular activity anymore. The board will discuss the extent of the consequences.

Woods said any positive tests will not be recorded on transcripts as well.

The testing would be done randomly by an outside independent company.

“We really are not approaching it from a punitive standpoint,” Woods said. “We care about kids and we of course, we want them to excel academically and be prepared for the next steps. But more than anything, we want them to be safe and healthy.”

The BOE will discuss the policy at its work session on Tuesday. Woods encourages parents to attend or watch the streamed or recorded meeting.

The policy still has to be passed on to the regular agenda for a vote. Woods said the board’s goal is to have the policy implemented by the start of the upcoming school year.

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