Thursday's Internet Edition, December 04, 2008.
drug testing policy
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| COMMUNITY SERVICE – Hamilton County 4-H members Jacob Crouch, Ashley Weatherford, Mary Jo Schooler, Bethy Porter and Jordan Crouch are just a few of the 4-H Fashion Show participants who collected a large assortment of clothing, socks and underwear to donate to the Rainbow Room. This is just one of the many community service projects sponsored by the 4-H members. |
Present for the meeting were William Lasater, Ken Shaffer, Nancy Diaz, Dan Chorenziak and Diana Freeman. Herman Lanmon Jr. presided at the meeting. Jon Mark Jester was absent.
Hamilton High School Principal Matt Dossey asked the board for feedback regarding the student drug testing policy. Board members told Dossey that they are supportive of the testing and encouraged him to continue the good work.
Dossey explained to the board some changes that have been made in the testing procedure that he believes makes it more effective.
He said that when the drug dog comes on campus the facility is immediately placed on “lock down,” which means students do not leave the classroom they are in until the dogs have completed their search of the building.
Dossey also explained that on days when random drug testing is performed, the students are called to the auditorium as a group without warning. They are kept under supervision until the testing is complete.
He also told the board that the levels of THC that are being tested for has been raised significantly and will now pick up drug use in students who use illegal substances every few weeks as well as more frequent users.
Dossey said that he does not know when the drug testing will be performed. He also stated that students are chosen by the testing company and not by him. He told the board that because the number of students at Hamilton High School is relatively small and drug tests are performed fairly frequently, students could be randomly selected several times in a row.
“The program is built as a deterrent and we want to maintain that,” he said.
Dossey asked for feedback or questions from the board.
Diaz said, “We greatly appreciate the opportunity to express our thoughts and ideas.” She said that parents have told her that they would like to see the penalty for a first offense be more severe.
Freeman asked who performs the mandatory counseling students are to receive after their first offense.
Dossey said the counseling is done at school by one of the counselors or it might be assigned to an outside counselor.
Lanmon said, “I am happy with what has been happening. I think we’re on the right track.”
Dossey assured the board that he will take their concerns to the committee.
Superintendent Sam Bell presented to the board for their consideration adding a central office administrative position of Assistant Superintendent for the Hamilton I.S.D.
He said that numerous responsibilities, many state mandated, have been added to existing personnel over the years and they have been shouldering those jobs among themselves rather than hiring someone for the position.
Bell gave a lengthy list of jobs, including curriculum and instruction that would be performed in the new position.
“The goal is to get principals in classrooms and counselors counseling kids,” Bell said.
He told trustees that about half the 2A schools he surveyed have assistant superintendent positions.
Lasater said he would like to see data about the new and increased workload mandated by the state.
Chorenziak said, “My greatest concern is how the position will affect the district.” He complimented the principals on each campus for their good work.
“I don’t see how this will make this a more successful district,” he went on. “I want to be sure it doesn’t hinder the good job the campuses are doing.”
Shaffer said his primary concern is that the person would focus on curriculum.
Diaz said that, although she was aware a new position was being considered, she was surprised to find that it was the position of assistant superintendent. She said she was not quite ready to approve the position at that time.
Bell said he would prepare more information for the board to consider at their next meeting.
Bell discussed with the board Senate Bill 9, which is known as the “Fingerprinting Bill.” He said the bill authorized and required greatly expanded criminal history information reviews for most classes of educators and school employees, including national criminal history background checks based on the submission of fingerprints for all certified and currently employed educators as well as substitute teachers and all non-certified school employees hired after Jan. 1, 2008. The district will be responsible for the cost of the fingerprinting and for submitting the required information to the Texas Education Agency for any non-certified new hires employed after Jan. 1, 2008. Bell said that the school will pay for the cost of fingerprinting for new hires, the state will take care of the cost for those employed before Jan. 1, 2008.
Dossey told the board that there are plans for offering HHS students dual credit on-line courses during the school day. He said the students would be in a monitored classroom using school computers. He said that if students want to get high school and college credits, “we want to try to give the kids no reason to say no.” He said the program will start next year.
The board also heard the district’s investment and finance report, approved payment of bills and adoption of textbooks. The approved innovative course application for the Diversified Career Preparation as it has been in the past and revised local policies as recommended by TASB Policy Services.
The board convened to closed section to discuss resignation of certified employees and consider the superintendent’s recommendation regarding employment of teachers, athletic director and other professional personnel.
They acknowledged the resignation/retirement of Vicki Nichols from Hamilton ISD effective at the end of the school year. They also accepted the resignation of teacher/coach David Buster effective at the end of the school year.