FLORESVILLE, Texas – Floresville Independent School District will move forward with a proposal to randomly drug test 7th through 12th-grade students. The school board unanimously approved the idea on Wednesday night, but parents have given the decision mixed reviews.
“Many parents feel that the drug testing of students is an example of overreaching,” said one Floresville ISD mother during a public comment.
“Drugs are bad for students, and we do not want any of that in our schools,” said a former Floresville ISD parent who asked to remain anonymous.
Students subject to random drug testing include those who are in contests, UIL competitions, athletics, extracurricular/co-curricular activities, and student organizations, as well as those who have a permit to drive/park on campus.
“Has there been an uprise in students getting caught with stuff, like why, what is the reason, I’d like to know, and I don’t think that was ever answered,” said Dora Alonso.
Floresville ISD says the proposal for random drug testing was not prompted by a specific event or issue but rather to serve as a deterrent to peer pressure.
“Myself and my husband, we are responsible for parenting my child, not the district,” said a woman.
Punishment for failing a drug test will vary, but first-time offenders will face a 15-instructional-day suspension from games, performances, and events, as well as from parking on campus.
A second failed drug test comes with a 30-day suspension, and that punishment increases to 90 days for a third failed test. Failing a fourth test means the student will be removed from all extracurricular activities.
“It’s random, you don’t know when it’s going to happen, so it keeps you on the straight and narrow,” said another anonymous parent.
The district says a year of testing will cost at least $3,400, not including potential retest. All failed drug tests will stay on a student’s record until they graduate.
