Results of drug tests come back
CLOVERDALE -- Three women representing the Student Advisory Health Committee were present at Monday's school board meeting to discuss results of drug testing of students, along with recommendations for healthier foods.
The committee is comprised of drug education, health and wellness and AIDS committees. Their purpose is to go over curriculum and dietary habits to help improve these areas.
Lisa Baker spoke on behalf of the drug education committee.
"We have drug testing in place at both the middle school and high school," Baker said. "This year, the number of random tests went up to approximately 20 per month."
Baker reported that this year, there were 131 random drug tests given at the high school. Of that number, 14 came back positive. Also, there were 14 reasonable suspicion tests given of which 12 came back positive. At the middle school level, 46 random drug tests were given and none returned positive. Of the 14 reasonable suspicion tests given, only three were returned positive.
"This equals out to about 10-percent," Baker said. "There was no increase or decrease from past years."
Kristen Crabtree spoke on behalf of the Health and Wellness committee. She reported that they felt it was best to hire a dietician to make their menu. They had one look over it and she reported that the woman who did had a great deal of suggestions including decreasing carbohydrates, having fries only once per month and adding more fresh fruit.
"We also believe it is best to discontinue the sale of candy bars at the middle school," Crabtree said.
Board member James Sharp joked at the end of the meeting, "I would like to wish you good luck with having fries only once a month."
Kathy Moore represented the AIDS Committee. She said that the state curriculum is abstinence only, which they will adhere to stringently. One main resource is the American Red Cross AIDS fact book.
"The book covers everything. If a student has a question, the teacher can look up the answer and decide if they will discuss it from the answer they find," Moore said.
In other business, the football field will also have two new light poles on the east side. The two were in disrepair and had to be removed. Duke energy has donated the labor on the removal and replacement of these poles.
The board also recognized Custodian Larry Teall who is retiring after 24 years of service. He will remain with the school corporation as a bus driver though.
The Cloverdale School Board meets regularly at 7 p.m. the third Monday of every month at the Arthur Johnson Administration Center. Their next meeting will be June 16.