Dist. 95 board expected to vote down drug-testing plan Thursday
A yearlong battle over a proposed random drug testing plan for Lake Zurich High School students should come to an end Thursday, when the District 95 board is expected to formally reject the proposal.
The vote will come two weeks after a majority of Lake Zurich Unit School District 95 board members publicly acknowledged overwhelming community opposition to the plan and said they would vote against it.
On Wednesday, board member Michael Finn said he’s glad residents will have closure on the matter Thursday.
“It will end a chapter and allow us to focus on what needs to get done next,” said Finn, who had been critical of the proposal.
Seventy-six percent of District 95 parents oppose the drug testing plan, a recent survey showed.
Dozens of people also opposed the plan at a public forum in October. The plan had few supporters at that meeting.
The plan would have limited drug testing to high school students in extracurricular activities or those who drive to school. U.S. courts have restricted random drug tests at public schools to such optional activities.
Teens found to have been using illegal drugs would be suspended from the extracurricular programs.
Many of the parents who spoke against the plan said it infringed on their parental responsibilities. Others voiced concerns about privacy, and some opposed the plan because it singled out students in extracurricular programs.
Finn shared those concerns. He said he never sensed a majority of the board members favored drug testing.
“It’s our job to educate,” he said. “It’s the police’s job to police. It’s the parents’ job to parent.”
Resident Keith Petropoulos criticized the plan at several meetings and said he’s relieved the board will reject the proposal.
He suggested educators work with the community to develop employment and educational programs and activities that will keep kids busy and away from drugs.
Board member Tony Pietro was an early proponent of random drug testing. After months of discussions and reviewing the most recent survey results, however, Pietro said he “sees now that it isn’t a good idea.”
But Pietro also believes the process, involving months of planning and public discussions, worked. Rather than rushing a proposal, officials spent time on it and involved the community, Pietro said.
Board member Doug Goldberg shared a similar outlook. Although random testing may not be right for the Lake Zurich community, the effort got people talking about teen drug use, he said.
“I’m just happy that the awareness in the community has been raised and the dialogue has been opened,” Goldberg said.
Thursday’s meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the high school, 300 Church St. It will be broadcast live on the district’s website, lz95.org.