WHITEFISH – The Whitefish School Board has given preliminary approval to a drug testing program for the district.
The board voted 4-3 Monday to set up a voluntary drug testing program for students who participate in extracurricular activities. Students who don’t agree to the voluntary drug testing program would fall under the district’s current policy that already sets consequences for drug and alcohol use.
The board also gave preliminary approval to a suspicion-based testing policy for the entire student body.
Board chairman David Fern says the school hasn’t had the tools to deal with students who are suspected of using drugs or alcohol. He says under the new policy, the student’s parents and/or police would be called and the student would be tested.
The second reading of the policies is scheduled for the July 8 board meeting.