District 95 shoots down proposed drug testing policy

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Updated: December 26, 2011 8:17AM

Intensive year-long discussions were laid to rest as the Lake Zurich Community Unit District 95 School Board voted down its proposed random drug testing policy at the Nov. 17 regular meeting.

Despite multiple attempts to revamp the policy, the board finally decided to halt all movement on the matter after October’s community survey revealed that 76 percent of 1,912 district residents who returned surveys were against it.

Drug testing supporter-turned-opponent Dan Fewkes, of Lake Zurich, took his three-minute public comment timeslot before the vote to commend the board for its expected decision, and for its diligence throughout the issue’s backlash.

“I appreciate the board and all the time you put in—it can be a thankless job,” Fewkes said. “Tonight, I presume that we are going to listen to the survey results and vote down the drug testing program at the school; and I thank you for that.”

Fewkes followed his gratitude with the strong recommendation that board members quickly begin a dialogue about different drug prevention methods it could implement so that the community’s attention won’t die off.

“The school board and the administration have the ear of the community right now, as to what we are going to do about this; now is the time to do something,” Fewkes said, explaining that while drug testing was the wrong answer, he believes there is a right answer that can more appropriately address student drug use.

Three-quarters of survey respondents agreed that the policy was inappropriate for a variety of reasons; however, the board faced more frequent scrutiny for claims that it was attempting to integrate a program based on insufficient evidence of an existing community drug problem; blindly administering and analyzing the spring survey; violating students’ and parents’ civil rights; accepting a policy that would only test students possessing a parking spot or membership in extracurricular activities; justifying activity suspension with inaccuracy-prone hair and urine tests; and failing to realize the potential reverse effects of forcing young drug-users further into seclusion through activity suspension.

Prior to voting, each board member took time to thank the community for its consistent involvement with an issue that deals with their students’ health and futures.

“Hopefully, the community members will continue to participate,” said board member Kathleen Wallis. “Today we are sitting up here representing voices, and they have spoken.”

As board members recognized that the lengthy discussions on the proposed drug testing policy ultimately resulted in no policy, they said they had no regrets for putting a possible drug-prevention plan’s blueprints through the process.

Board member John Kropf commended the community for the thought and effort it put into improving the attempted program, and encouraged continued participation.

“In my seven years or so on the board, I’ve seen some very good things happen when the community is positively involved with what we are trying to get done with our schools,” Kropf said. “I hope this opens a door and some people come forward so we can take this to the next level.”

In the final vote, board members Kathy Brown, Doug Goldberg, Michael Finn, Kathleen Wallis and John Kropf were counted as opposed; Jim Burke voted “present” and was counted with the majority; and Tony Pietro abstained.

Following adjournment, Fewkes noted the absence of a number of parents usually expressing their thoughts and recommendations, and expressed concern for the community’s slowly decreasing attendance at the meetings.

Jim Cairo, of Lake Zurich, has not lost interest in the matter, and remains determined to assist the board in developing an effective drug prevention program.

“I don’t think this policy was the right thing, but I don’t think we should be against the administration for trying something,” Cairo said. “I think we have to find the right process–I think education is the best way to reach these kids.”

One of the community’s most outspoken critics, Keith Petropoulos, of Lake Zurich, was relieved after the board’s vote, and inspired by the number of parents that worked together to dissuade the board.

“I am inspired by the hundreds of parents who let the board know that the program was intolerable.”