A proposed drug-testing policy for Knoch High School students was introduced to parents at an informational meeting Wednesday at the Knoch High School auditorium.

Under the proposed policy, high school students who either participated in an extracurricular activity or drove to the high school and used the school’s parking lot would be obliged to submit to random drug testing to the school.

South Butler School District Superintendent David Zupsic, who gave the presentation, said drivers and those who participate in extracurricular activities make up about two-thirds of the school’s population.

Zupsic said the proposed policy will help promote early drug education, detect early drug use and deter students from using drugs and alcohol.

“This policy is not meant to punish kids,” he said. “It’s meant to identify kids who may be using and to help them.”

He said the policy is restricted to drivers and those involved in extracurricular activities because the school “can’t just drug test students for walking in the door.”

However, parents of a student not driving to school and not involved in extracurricular activities can still sign up that student for the drug-testing program.

Zupsic said that the proposed policy would be in addition to the school’s current drug and alcohol policy.

The superintendent said that under the current policy, if someone looks under the influence or is caught with drugs or drug paraphernalia on them, they will get suspended or expelled.

“They’re put into situations where they cannot get help,” he said.

He noted how the proposed policy differs.

The first positive test result would bring a 14-day calendar suspension from activities and driving, as well as weekly drug tests for five weeks at a cost to the student’s parent or guardian.

The second positive test would result in a one-year or one-season suspension from their activity, a one-year suspension from driving, the weekly drug tests for five weeks at the parent’s or guardian’s costs, and a referral to a licensed facility for a drug assessment.

The third positive test would be a permanent ban from activities and driving, as well as another referral to a facility. Zupsic explained why these measures would need to be taken if a student tests positive for drugs or alcohol.

“It’s not a safe environment,” he said. “It’s not safe for them. It’s not safe for the students and faculty around them.”

Students who would opt out of the proposed policy would forfeit their activity and driving privileges. A student within the proposed policy who would refuse a test would be given the same treatment as if they had tested positive.

Zupsic noted that the Mars and Seneca Valley school districts have similar policies. He said that he spoke to Seneca Valley officials and that they reported to him that less than 1 percent of students in the program have tested positive in the 15 years it’s been run.

He said the testing would be done through a reputable vendor which would provide him with monthly statistics on the drug testing.

The superintendent said the proposed policy would cost the school district around $45,000 per year. Parents or guardians would pay $30 for the initial drug test done at the beginning of the year.

Drug testing done on random days to random students would be done bimonthly, paid for by the school district.

Parents of students who are in multiple activities will only have to pay for the initial drug test, and the fee will be waived for students on reduced and free lunch programs.

Zupsic said that it would be considered that students may be on prescription medications that could trigger false positives. He said in these cases the prescriptions could be presented to the school and the matter would be resolved.

Zupsic wants to bring the proposed policy to the South Butler School Board in March, and said there will be a required 30 days for review and public comment. He hopes the board will vote on the policy in April.

A few students who are on the school’s principal advisory board spoke at the meeting. Addison Albert, a senior, said that drug and alcohol abuse is prevalent in the school.

“It’s kind of alarming as someone who talks to the majority of the student body that it’s considered the norm,” she said.

She spoke in favor of the proposed policy, saying that a student who may not want to use drugs and alcohol can tell their peers they can’t use because of their school activities.

“That gives that student who maybe doesn’t want to do it an out,” she said.

John Ejzak, a senior, called the policy a step in the right direction but said he was concerned that it didn’t reach the students who weren’t partaking in extracurricular activities.

“I think we’re ignoring the part of the student body that most needs our attention,” he said.

Zupsic acknowledged his concern.

“This isn’t an end policy,” he said. “This is a step in the right direction, and you have to keep making those steps in the right direction.”