Board takes no action on 2 issues

The decision on who will be drug tested depends on the cost.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- The board of education has decided to wait until next year when two new board members take office to decide on two long-discussed issues.
Drug testing for new employees and the use of a cafeteria biometric system based on student fingerprints in the high school were discussed Thursday, but no decisions were made.
Board President John Davis, who favors instituting both programs, said decisions won't be made until after the new year.
That's when Robert Marino Sr. and Susan Longacre, both winners in the Nov. 8 general election, will take seats on the board.
School lunches
The biometric system is being considered so students who receive full or reduced lunches won't be embarrassed when going through the lunch line with others who are paying the full price.
With the system, students who use the cafeteria will swipe their identification cards through a scanner and the amount removed from their personal school accounts or paid by the school district if students qualify for a subsidy.
Some parents have expressed concern that the fingerprints give rise to a privacy issue or question what will happen if they refuse to allow their children to participate.
In the decision-making process, the question of those who refuse to participate will be taken into consideration, Davis said.
"Again, we're not there yet," Davis said.
Amanda Stumpf, a high school junior, told the board that there is growing opposition to the system, and she doesn't want to be a part of it.
She said she has never noticed a student receiving a free lunch and nobody has asked the students their points of view.
Drug testing
Concerning the proposal for pre-employment drug testing, Superintendent Rocco Adduci told the board that the Ohio School Boards Association permits it.
Adduci said he has checked with two comparable school districts. At one of them, the prospective hires pay for the tests, while the district pays for testing in the other district.
Both districts also are considering drug testing before hiring part-time substitute teachers. There is also the question of testing those who have supplemental contracts but are not full-time school district employees.
Board member Marlene Rhodes, who has pushed for drug testing, said the decision will be based on the cost.
The tests cost about $35 each.
Currently, union contracts allow for drug testing of full-time workers if there is reason to believe a test is needed. School bus drivers are tested by state law.
yovich@vindy.com