Broken Bow School Board Discusses Drug Testing Policy

BROKEN BOW – The Broken Bow School Board convened for its common month-to-month assembly on Monday, resolving previous points and prompting new questions shortly earlier than summer season formally begins.

On the docket had been treasury issues and insurance coverage protection for the preschool flood of early March, however the dialogue on the varsity’s random drug testing coverage for the upcoming college 12 months took middle stage.

Having been vetted by sponsors and coaches because the board’s earlier working assembly, a major criticism of the coverage, in response to Superintendent Darren Tobey, was that the thirty-day suspension from actions was too harsh for a primary offense.

“Thirty days might stop some youngsters from even going out for sports activities,” Tobey stated, airing the grievances of the coaches and sponsors. “The reason being youngsters know they’ll be kicked off the group for half the season in the event that they get in hassle.”

“They are saying it needs to be fifteen days as an alternative of thirty.”

Pinching two weeks from the punishment flooded the room with a dialogue of coverage, levels of offense, and the philosophy of the function of educators and directors and their duties to the group they serve. In brief: a conundrum.

“I’ve wrestled backwards and forwards with this,” board member Tim Chancellor stated, “Proper, flawed, or detached.”

Chancellor indicated that the first goals of the drug testing coverage are as follows: The college district seeks to supply protected, substance-free faculties, to discourage the usage of unlawful and prohibited medication, alcohol, tobacco/nicotine amongst college students, and acknowledges that college students who use unlawful and prohibited substances pose a risk to the well being and security of themselves, different college students, lecturers, directors, and different individuals.

“That is what we’re attempting to do. If we agree with that, then I don’t know that fifteen days is even an argument.”

Board members proposed different options to the exhausting and quick thirty days, starting from common, random month-to-month testing for six months along with a fifteen-day suspension from actions to month-long suspensions and an effort on behalf of the coed to hunt assist. Unsurprisingly, the merchandise didn’t come to a vote, although the board plans to decide in its common July assembly.

Moreover, the board moved to pay the contents of its MAP contract from the 2021 college 12 months; Damaged Bow Public Colleges exceeded state targets for math and science however fell quick in studying and language utilization. Superintendent Tobey declined to take his MAP incentive, stating that the cash might be used to additional assist the varsity.

A hyperlink to the January article relating to the MAP contract and its incentives will be discovered here.

Previous to the drug testing dialogue, the board started the assembly by approving earlier board minutes and the treasurer’s report and claims report. Treasurer J.B. Atkins stated the district had about $1 million in expenditures final month with the early arrival of recent computer systems and curriculum. Yr up to now, Atkins stated the district remains to be forward on income by a pair hundred thousand {dollars}.

A current expense follows the early March water harm brought on by a difficulty with a warmth sensor, pipe, and sprinkler on the new preschool. The issue occurred throughout a extreme chilly snap and people nonetheless within the constructing after college hours referred to as for assist to cease the leak and transfer gadgets to a protected location. Superintendent Tobey stated greater than $23,000 in damages was achieved with funds going towards changing preschool provides, constructing repairs, and cleanup. The board paid the $1,000 deductible and is working with insurance coverage to be reimbursed.

Additionally on Monday evening, the board congratulated athletes taking part in in all-star video games and wished good luck to the FBLA and HOSA college students getting ready to journey for competitions this month.

The board went into an government session for about quarter-hour to debate a personnel matter and an actual property contract.

Faculty breakfast and lunch will now not be free within the coming college 12 months however college students can nonetheless apply for the free and lowered program.

The assembly adjourned at 8:32 p.m.

The subsequent Damaged Bow Faculty Board Work Session might be on Monday, July 11 at 12 p.m. and the following common assembly might be held on Monday, July 18 at 7:30 p.m.