IRON MOUNTAIN/FLORENCE, WI -- Drug and alcohol testing has long been considered by administrators at Iron Mountain High School. But it wasn't until a survey was given to students that those discussions turned serious.
"Eight percent of our student body came back and felt that we needed to have a policy that was stricter to deter students from engaging in any illegal activities such as drinking and drug abuse," said Iron Mountain Superintendent Tom Jayne.
The school is considering enacting a stricter policy to test students for drugs and alcohol. The testing would be random for students involved in an extracurricular activity.
While Iron Mountain is looking to break new ground in the U.P., random drug testing is a common occurrence in Florence, costing less than five dollars per test.
Florence implemented its drug and alcohol testing last school year, and despite more than 100 tests, zero came back positive.
Principal Brandon Jerue said the goal is to deter students. "We're not trying to catch kids doing drugs,” said Jerue. “What we're trying to do is, if they are using and they do test positive, we are able to educate them."
If a student tests positive, he or she is suspended for a quarter of the season or activity.
Jayne sees plenty of advantages to drug and alcohol testing at Iron Mountain High School but said no decision has been made.
"We are still in the discussion, education, and communications stage,” Jayne said. “We need to get all the i's dotted and the t's crossed before it can be brought to a vote."
No timetable has been set for the Iron Mountain School Board to make a decision.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWLUC