Gainesville school board looks at expanding random student drug tests

GAINESVILLE - Gainesville school board members Monday night looked at expanding random student drug testing.

Superintendent Dr. Steve Ballowe said it gives students one more reason to say no to drugs and alcohol.

"They can say 'I can't do something because I'm going to be tested,'" Ballowe said. "I may drive my car to school, I might play sports, it's to provide a random drug test."

Hall County school board members approved expanding random drug testing at their meting a week ago.

Ballowe said the board is expected to vote on the program at its meeting next month.

"We're looking to build on what all of our local school districts have done, Hall County, White County and others," Ballowe said.

CHARTER APPLICATION

With approved revisions, the board unanimously agreed to move forward with its charter application, which, if approved by the state Board of Education, would make Gainesville schools the first charter district in the state.

"It has been passed by the state Charter School Commission and recommended for approval by the Board of Education," Ballowe said.

BETTER SCORES

School board members learned that Georgia High School Graduation Test scores were better than ever at Gainesville High.

High School Principal Michael Kemp said teachers closed the gap and brought scores up in the statewide test that measures how well students are prepared to graduate.

"The preliminary results indicate that we're up in every category," Kemp said. "We had 97 percent in English Language arts, the first time 11th graders passed."

Kemp said the test is given to first time 11th graders and added that Gainesville has an 81 percent graduation rate, much higher than the national 50 percent average.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2008/4/209232