Zoomerang Survey Results
Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing
Response Status: Completes
Filter: No filter applied
Oct 27, 2011 4:01 PM PST
1. Which statement most accurately represents your position about random drug testing at Lake Zurich High School?
a.
I am strongly in favor of random drug testing.
207
11%
b.
I am in favor of drug testing.
193
10%
c.
I am neutral about random drug testing.
44
2%
d.
I am opposed to random drug testing.
555
29%
e.
I am strongly opposed to random drug testing.
900
47%
13
1%
f.
I do not feel I have enough information to make a
decision.
Total
1912 100%
2. If you selected “d” or “e” to Question 1, please select the statement that most accurately represents your position:
a.
I am opposed to random drug testing because I do
not believe it is the school’s responsibility.
1139
78%
b.
I am opposed to random drug testing because of
the collection method proposed in the draft procedures.
15
1%
c.
I am opposed to random drug testing because of
the consequences proposed for a positive test result in
the draft procedures.
32
2%
d.
I am opposed to random drug testing because I do
not feel there is a sufficient drug problem to warrant
testing.
26
2%
e.
I am opposed to random drug testing because I am
concerned about confidentiality issues.
61
4%
f.
I am opposed to random drug testing because of
the cost.
21
1%
g.
I am opposed to random drug testing for other
reasons.
165
11%
Total
1459 100%
3. If you selected “a” or “b” to Question 1, please select the statement that most accurately represents your position:
a.
I am in favor of random drug testing because I
believe it will be an effective deterrent.
223
54%
b.
I am in favor of random drug testing because I
consider it to be another tool for parents.
112
27%
c.
I am in favor of random drug testing because I
believe there is a drug problem in our community.
44
11%
d.
I am in favor of random drug testing for other
reasons.
32
8%
Total
411
100%
4. Do you currently have a student(s) at:
a.
Lake Zurich High School?
889
49%
b.
Either of the Lake Zurich middle schools?
478
26%
c.
Any of the Lake Zurich elementary schools?
446
25%
1813 100%
Total
5. Please enter any comments you may have for the Board of Education on the topic of random drug testing at Lake
Zurich High School:
639 Responses
5. Please enter any comments you may have for the Board of Education on the topic of random drug
testing at Lake Zurich High School:
Respondent #
Response
1 I believe it would be an effective deterrent for
some students, and is another positive step in
raising positive discussions among kids.
2 It is not the place/priviledge/right of a school or
school district to administer or collect drug
testing information... period. Any school or
district that proceeds with such an agenda can
certainly anticipate legal push-back. I'm sure the
ACLU would be willing to take up this issue.
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: Que... Page 1 of 43
Fall 2011 Parent Survey on
Random Drug Testing
Results Overview
Date: 10/28/2011 6:32 AM PST
Responses: Completes
Filter: No filter applied
5. Please enter any comments you may have for the Board of Education on the topic of random drug testing
at Lake Zurich High School:
#
Response
1
I believe it would be an effective deterrent for some students, and is another positive step in raising positive discussions
among kids.
2
It is not the place/priviledge/right of a school or school district to administer or collect drug testing information... period. Any
school or district that proceeds with such an agenda can certainly anticipate legal push-back. I'm sure the ACLU would be
willing to take up this issue.
3
I believe that if the school feels my child has a drug problem, then the school should bring this to my attention - PARENTS
need to be involved 105% -
4
I feel this is NOT the schools place to be screening kids for drugs, if the school feels there is a child they are concerned
with they should speak to the students parents and they can decide to drug test or not. Random drug testing is not going to
stop issues with drugs and student, if it's truely random then you could miss the ones that are users. Then there is the
money issue, WHO is paying for the test??? NOT my tax dollars!! Now on to confidentially issues.....I DON'T TRUST
ANYTHING WRITTEN DOWN. ANY BODY CAN "ACCIDENTLY" READ IT!!
5
I do not agree with a number of issues presented by random drug testing. I do not like the fact that only students in after
school activities and parking spaces will be tested. I believe that the students that are NOT in school activities would be
more prone to drug use. I understand the state law prohibiting the testing of all students...even so.... Confidentiality is a big
concern. the whole student body, and then parents as well will have reason to judge any student with a positive test result.
This is not the school's place. Please let us parent our children. Respectfuly...LZHS parents
6
We hope that any students found with drugs in their system would recieve counseling before/instead of expulsion or
suspension. How about random testing of teachers/ administrators?
7
I believe that the whole school should be subjected to testing or nothing. I don't like that a specific group is targeted.
8
I would like the reader of this message to indulge me for one moment: You are a licensed driver in the state of Illinois.
Driving is not a right, it is a privilege, right? Well, imagine the police show up in your yard and barge into your home. They
tell you that, because you are a licensed driver in the state of Illinois, they are going to rifle through your underwear drawer.
See what channel you're watching on TV. Look through your computer's history. Go through your liquor cabinet. And they're
doing it because you have a privilege that can be taken away if they find something. You haven't done anything to warrant
this search. There is no probable cause. Just a privilege to be taken away. If you have nothing to hide, why would you
object? Maybe you value your freedom. Your privacy. This is what you want to do? TO CHILDREN??? Without the support
or permission of their parents? Think about it.
9
I do not believe it is fair to single out students with the "privlege" to participate in extra curricular activities or have a parking
pass. IT should be the parents responsibility to deal with a drug issue with their child and the schools responsibility to teach
and offer assistance when needed. This is a waste of the schools time and money.
10
Testing children project mistrust. This is up to parents to test their kids, if they suspect he/she uses drugs. This is agenda
that parent who are not invovled in thier children's life. They do not want to spend the time to know their kids so they ask
school to monitor thier kids. This act give the message to parents that they do not need to know, scholl will figure it out for
them.
11
I am in favor of random drug testing and believe there is only a small (yet very vocal) group that is opposed to it. Most
parents I know and talk to are in favor of it.
12
I am in favor, however, I feel that the students that need this the most are probably the ones who are NOT in extracurricular
activities...It seems rather backwards to me...
13
There is a reason the school cannot test the entire student body: random drug testing is considered an unreasonable
search, and thus prohibited by the 4th amendment. Tying the test to voluntary activities cleverly skirts around the legal
issues, but makes it no less unreasonable. Training our children to forfeit their rights in exchange for a parking space is
completely inappropriate. Please find some other way to deal with the drug problem. Also, I'm a little disappointed (in the
school and/or our community) that concerns about rights don't make it into the top 6 choices for question 2.
14
Please let parents handle this problem! How arrogant of the schools to think they know better. Kids need help not
harassment! Why don't you spend more time teaching rather than policing. Government has gone too far. What good will
come of this? So you test the kids; they get kicked out of their extra-curricular act ivies. Then what? More time for drugs!
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: Que... Page 2 of 43
15
1. What qualifies as an "extra-curricular" activity? This is unclear from the wording of the drafts. Chess club? Drama? Bible
study? Football? Student council? Prom planning committees? What about dual-enrollment students? Elementary students
taking classes at the middle school? Summer school participants? 2. What is Pathways? What are the "other" unnamed
rehab programs? Will these require parental transportation, insurance coverage, or out-of-school participation? None of
these are likely possible, even if a parent IS concerned. Inpatient? Outpatient? Who are the counselors, peers and others a
student might encounter in such an environment? How do we know they are qualified to treat our student and who is going
to pay for this? I've seen OK kids get permanently screwed up after exposure to ideas and people at these types of therapy
workshops. Is a parent allowed to choose their child's own psychiatrist/LCC/psychologist instead of the district-approved
curriculum? 3. About 10-20% of your student body (including athletes and drivers) are regularly taking prescription drugs for
ADHD/Bipolar/mood disorders/other which WILL cause positive test results. These students should be exempt from the
testing process from the beginning rather than spend unnecessary district money and time just to get an already-known
result. Have these students bring in their prescriptions and put on file with the nurse, removing them from the random
selection process (and greatly reducing student and parent stress-level!) How does IHSA handle these cases? I would think
there must be a precedent. 4. For some sports, leagues state that any student-athlete's positive drug test renders the entire
team's PRIOR competitions invalid and forfeitable, plus forbid that student's participation in all FUTURE competitions. The
current draft does not appear to account for likely-increased ineligibility of entire teams due to one student's positive drug
test halfway through the season. Peer pressure is powerful if the entire team knows they will lose their eligibility due to one
member--this should be made clear to all team members up front. 5. Can parents elect their particular student to BE tested
in addition to the random sampling of student body? This would cede greater control to parents, aid in optimizing cost
measures and cut down on situations of ineligibility. If the school can choose a supposedly random sample, consider that a
parent should also be able to choose if their student should or should not be tested. 6. What about students (particularly
Muslim female and other culture-based faiths) who reject testing based on their own or family religious or cultural beliefs?
What about students who claim these restrictions vs. those whose families truly are restrictive? Can the school penalize
based on religious grounds or is that one of the exemptions alluded to in the draft? --We need quite a bit more information
before we feel comfortable making a decision. Specifically, several of our children are all on stimulant medication to
(successfully) manage ADHD-Combined type...and are highly-gifted. We would honestly rather see this 3K-4K spent on
teachers' continuing educations in gifted and special ed, and the reinstatement of gifted programming at the elementary
levels than in randomized drug testing. At the rate our kids are being denied FAPE via the simple ignorance of their wellmeaning educators, we will never get to the middle or high school levels to receive
16
As long as this is done without the kids being singled out I believe this is a good thing. I believe that kids sometimes need to
have a deterant and/or a reason to say no.
17
Question 2 should have an option for "ALL THE ABOVE" as my concerns fall into all categories. I chose financial as my
choice not because of known costs, but because of UNKNOWN costs. I don't believe the School/District is prepared for the
legal issues that may arise from this program. The District can be exposed to significant financial liability if the student
testing records become compromised. Is the District prepared for the repercussions if confidentiality is breached? Does the
District have insurance to protect them from such a liability, now and into the future? I know aperson who lost a job because
a "confidential" program was breached 20 years after the fact. That person successfully sued the governing agency for the
breach in confidentiality. My second concern is from legal challenges. Will the District defend themselves from parents that
mount a legal challenge to their authority, testing methods, external testing facility, etc. More importantly, who will be paying
for the legal defence. The District can not afford or expect the tax payers to accept this huge liability. A single legal action
could potentially bankrupt the District.
18
Do it
19
I have heard there would be a mass exodus of students from activities if drug testing is carried out.
20
Please explain why 'in receipt of privileges' is the determining factor for eligibility for submission to random testing - to most
parents that would appear to be arbitrary and capricious, and unconnected to the issue, other than a court has decided
those criteria.
21
I have two children, high school and middle school. I, like most Lake Zurich parents, take parenting very seriously and for
you to take away my right to parent and teach my kids against drugs and alcohol is wrong. And just because my kids want
to better themselves and keep themselves busy in a sport, is no reason to punish them. AW
22
You either test everyone or no-one. "It's a privilege" to be on a sport - are you kidding? It's alot of hard work, time, money
and giving up alot of things to make a HS team and your going to discriminate for that? Make it fair and test EVERYONE or
don't test my kid.
23
DO NOT RANDOM DRUG TEST !!!!
24
In favor only if drug education is expanded as well. If a student tests positive is it the districts responsibility to educate and
rehabilitate the student and parents? It is not fair for the district to only punish or take away privileges . The district parents
need education!
25
It is not the responsibility of Lake Zurich High School to police the students, that job is for the police who have be trained to
do it. LZHS should be spending their money, time, and effort to educate our student, which is what they have been trained
to do.
26
For a very long time I have been hearing from both my children that there is a very real drug problem in Lake Zurich. Many
students get high using various methods. I think this test would be good but I'm not so sure it would catch the students it
most needs to catch.
27
I have heard that drugs are vary prevalent at the high form my daughter as well as an english teacher that used to teach at
the high school. The teachers feel they have there arms tied to make any changes. Students feel much pressure to get into
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: Que... Page 3 of 43
the scene. I feel it would be a deterent and give an out to some student that would rather not be a part of the scene. I think
many of the parents protesting are drug abusers themselves. Sad state of affairs that they are parents
28
I do not feel this is a responsibility that the school should involve themselves in. This is a parents responsibility. If the school
has concern about a student they should discuss it with that students parent. If this does pass, I think, that before a student
can be tested, that the parent needs to give consent. These students are minors and as such should have parental consent
prior to tests being done, just as they would in a Dr.s office. Also, no matter how confidential you want to be, it will be very
hard to do.
29
I think it provides accountability for the students. Accountability is always a good thing for everyone. It also provides early
intervention if the student is an addict. In the case for steroid testing I feel even stronger that it is necessary for the school
to play a role in detection. It will allow everyone to play at their natural talent and not be pressured to take performance
enhancing drugs. These drugs will harm our children and we need to ensure their use is not tolerated in our schools.
30
How much was spent on DARE? Guess it didn't work. The solutions proposed by government bureaucracies never
work....never. This is another example.
31
Make sure that positive tests are used therapeutically. There should be nothing on the permanent records of students, they
should receive some therapy, remain confidential, and should carry some continuum of consequences for students in extra
curricular and drivers. Perhaps a temporary suspension of the ability to park or participate in the activity or club can deter
some students. Second and third offenses would carry more severe interventions.
32
A lot of companies are requiring drug tests to get employment so this will help set the mind set that this will be something
that is required for the rest of their lives
33
It is important to have a follow up for the students that test positive rather than just administer a punishment.
34
I strongly believe that the dealers will be impacted and will need to go somewhere else to prey on kids. They will not be
able to take a chance on getting caught.
35
I attend the open meeting and saw the overwhealming lack of support for this proposal. This convinced me that, while
intentions are good, this can not be done as it is described.
36
I consider this an invasion of privacy and an attack on civil rights.
37
You are not going to deter the people who do drugs. The tests will not be conducted fairly and will be an additional
unnecessary cost on the taxpayers that you are not disclosing. Most schools DO NOT drug test. Our problem is not big
enough to take such drastic measures and be a "trail blazer" in this arena.
38
I noticed in this recent e-mail you already expanded the cost from 3600 to 4200. This program is going to be more costly
than you think. Kids are not dying from pot overdoses in Lake Zurich - but they are dying from unsafe crosswalks and
sidewalks near our schools. I wish the district would take the time and spend our tax dollars wisely. I think you should look
at the statistics of kids dying from drugs and see what percentage is athletes that are driving. It is not the school district's
job or business to parent a child for behavior not occurring on school property. Children who are successfully able to
maintain academic eligibility and a athletic schedule are not the children that need to be drug tested/drug intervention.
Occasional or one time use does not warrant random drug testing or severe punishments. Children in need of drug
intervention programs are the ones who can not maintain grades and school athletics. These children won't even be tested.
At best, this program will be harassing children who are not drug users and made a mistake. The children with the real
problems, who need intervention - are not on sports or are their responsible parents allowing them to drive. Parents are not
naive...I am a parent of two teenagers...If I caught my kid smoking pot...I would not say - that's it no more soccer practice or
no more football practice or no more cheerleading...etc. What the school does is the exact opposite of the right thing to do
to punish kids effectively. If I caught my kid smoking pot...I would say "Your grounded - no more hanging out with certain
friends - I would say no driving the car until you pass my random drug testing at home" I would allow my child to go to adult
supervised athletics because that is a good thing to do. Sports is what keeps kids out of trouble..Not sure what genius
came up with the idea of taking kids who make mistakes and kicking them off sports and putting them on social probation. If
the school district really just wanted to help children they would have children take the test, send the results to the parents
and have their parents take the role of punishing and helping them. Because we are capable and we know how to parent.
The school is Not a parent and zero-tolerance is not a good method in dealing with children. I am very disappointed in our
school district for considering random drug testing.
39
To answer question 4 correctly, I have a student in a Lake Zurich middle school and in a Lake Zurich elementary school. I
feel very strongly against the random drug testing. That should be left up to the parents. Not the school. Educate children
about the effects of taking drugs. The kids in these programs are usually the kids who keep out of trouble. They are the
ones who are trying to better them selves. It would not be fair to chose just them.
40
I think the entire idea is INSANE and I am totally against it. The cost, confidentiality, the potential for targeting students,and
the fact that it will not deter drug use are some of the reasons. The main reason I am opposed to the testing is that it makes
no sense. It is pathetic to force a good student, showing no signs of drug use or strange behavior to have to submit to that
embarassing testing. It is an issue of trust. How can they trust us when we treat them like criminals even when they have
done nothing wrong? If it passes, I will rethink sending my children there.
41
School activities and parrking are not rights. All students taking part/getting benefits should have random testing
42
As a coach/sponsor.....there is another answer for #3. It provides students with a reason to say "no". There is more peer
pressure than ever before. If it helps them say no, then it's worth it.
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: Que... Page 4 of 43
43
It violates the spirit of the fourth amendment of the US Constitution. I vote for fiscally conservative school board members
who also support individual freedoms. Parents are free to drug test there children if they choose, this is not a proper
function of government.
44
I feel that the hair drug test is a bit more invasive and feel the urine test should be done first and if that comes back positive
then a hair test done. i work in the labroatory field and do drug testing routinely and urine drug testing is the most common
testing done.there are many different mediums to use for urine drug testing, some with instant results and some that get
sent to a lab for resulting.the hair testing can use a lot of back history along the whole hair shaft-which i feel is not needed
in this instance. If urine drug testing is used for the DOT then i feel that it is the best way to begin the process of testing the
students at LZHS/CUSD 95.
45
I am completely for random drug testing. There is no place for drugs and alcohol in our school system and more Intense
measures need to be implemented in order to curb/stop it. To be a part of a school sport, club, or other extra curricular
activity involves commitment and leadership and there should be no tolerance for drinking or drug use among the students
as it dilutes the role model responsibility that comes with it.
46
We just moved to IL and our last school did drug testing on all students not those who were in activities or driving only. I
feel that those who are on drugs would not be in an activity. Therefore , this would be unfair and very costly to all of us and
not helping the whole student body. I also believe that if a student did come up positive for a drug substance they would be
known who they are by all students because of suspension ect. I strongly believe that parents should be responsible for
their child's punishment and get them proper help without embarrassment from their school peers or school administration.
Activities are what kids need and help keep them motivated to stay on the right track. If you take that away this can damage
them for the rest of their lives. Be fair and test all or none!
47
Let's be pro active and help the kids that need help. Maybe spend the district money on extra counseling and drug program
advisors etc. Picking random kids that are involved in extra activities is not fair. Treat everyone equal here.
48
I have students in High School, Middle School, and Elementary. I think if you do choose to do random drug testing that it
needs to be the whole school population, not just the ones who are athletes. All students should have to be aware that drug
testing could happen to them not just the athletes. That is my only concern. If all kids are suspect to possible drug testing
then they all would make sure they didn't do it. If you only pick on the athletes then those that do do drugs will stop playing
sports and still do drugs. I am hopeful that this doesn't happen, but it is a possibility.
49
The high school should concentrate on education. I do not feel the school should be involved in this. The high school
cannot effectively handle the huge issues that are obviously present. So many students are drunk at the football games. A
large percentage of students are texting or talking on their phones while exiting the school parking lot. We seem to be
ignoring these issues. Testing a few kids at random will not stop the problem. Many corporations went down this path years
ago and quickly ended drug testing because it was ineffective. In the end parents will hire attorneys, just like they do when
kids are caught drinking.
50
I fail to see a reason why LZ schools have a right or a responsibility to do drug testing on students. This is something
parents and institutions we entrust can handle. Athletes already sign morals contracts at LZHS. The D.A.R.E. program was
cancelled but such proactive education at young ages made more sense to me than this. I do not endorse the Nanny State
where Parents outsource looking after their kids to the government.
51
I do feel all student body and teachers should be subject to the random drug testing if this passes. You should not just
focus on those who are involved.
52
My only hesitation is a fear of false positive results.
53
I do NOT trust the school system. They will take 1 test and have it be ALL inclusive. They will not get to the bottom of a
situation - just make hasty and possibly inaccurate assessments. I've heard many HORROR stories where situations are
taken out of context and the child suffers. I 100% oppose this mostly because I do NOT trust that the school has the best
interest of the student in mind. They just want to find a few kids and make an example of them. One of my children has a
lifelong illness and takes prescribed medication. I have informed my child, if he/she gets randomly selected to MAKE sure
they know what he/she is currently taking. PUT IT IN WRITING - GET SOMEONE TO SIGN IT AND MAKE A COPY OF
IT!!!! Can't even imagine what we'll have to go through to get his/her name cleared if selected! Unbelievable. If I thought this
would actually stop kids that were "really" doing drugs, I'd be for it. It won't stop the problem - it will just make the smart kids
figure out how to better hide what is going on (unfortunately).
54
The responsibility of the school, Board of Education, and the school district, is education....not substance control. This is a
parental responsibility and the state law enforcement responsibility. Focus on your responsibility. Secondly, what is yoUr
policy and technology used for information privacy. I seriously doubt you have adequately designed processes and
technology to protect the data you collect. This information is a serious liability, and if compromised will put the school
district at significant legal and financial risk.
55
I just want to make sure there is a program in place to help those kids that are "positive" - also a way to rule out false
positives. Also believe there should be some way to test a student that is suspected of drug use - one that constantly cuts
class, etc.
56
I think drug testing students is not the responsibility of the school. This issue is one that should be addressed within the
family and I would not want my children to feel violated simply because they want to participate in an extra-curricular
activity. I feel that only negativity can result from this whole concept. I can't envision any positive outcomes for instituting
this policy.
57
hair testing can read false positive, and urine sampling is more reliable, less intrusive and I would be in favor of this.
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: Que... Page 5 of 43
58
Wasted energy and money. Who would administer the test? Are you looking to label kids? Are you going to turn them over
to the police? Who chooses the randomness of the testing? Do the parents have the right or refusal? You are moving away
from the goal of educating and into law enforcement? How does this benefit the school? Other than punish the child what
would you do with the information?
59
seems like a waste of money to test students that are involved in positive, constructive and time-consuming activities,
where the likelyhood of drug-use is slim!
60
The Board of Education has been elected and should represent the people who elected them. If the majority of constituents
are opposed to the testing, they are obligated to vote against it. Also, results of this survey should be shared with the public.
61
Please keep the school campus drug free and I will keep my child drug free. I have yet to have my question answered so
while I have your attention I will ask again. How will implmenting this policy enhance or improve my child's educational
experience at LZHS?" Don't talk to me about deterence either because deterence is not a subject offered in our curriculum.
My responsibility as a parent is to teach my children to make right choices, to protect them, to help them navigate through
life untill they are old enough to do it on their own, to set up a system in their life that would lead to deterence. The main job
of the high school is to teach academics in order to prepare students for college classes, period end of discussion!
62
You have got to be kidding me. Who in the
63
The concern I have is that it is "random" and therefore, my concern is with how it could be manipulated. Also, I believe that
this could be viewed as a form of discrimination.
64
Just because the courts say you can does not mean you should.
65
I believe it is not only to catch someone who is doing drugs but to help kids from doing drugs. If the whole school or even
random testing is done it will allow students to say no because they might get tested.
66
Id like more of a sample done with more emphasis on athletes. I also am worried about accuracy and fairness for those
selected. Getting help for those positive rather than punishment.
67
Random drug testing should be limited to those students who participate in extra curricular sports events
68
This is a useless plan and not random testing. The students in extra curricular activities are not the most likely students
abusing drugs. What about all the kids who are near failing, do not get involved in any school activity?? It seems like a plan
to punish students already doing the right thing. This should not be implemented in Lake Zurich schools.
69
I think it is quite odd to test only certain students. And your test does not even include alcohol, which is by far the most
abused drug amongst students. By selecting only students in outside activities like sports, marching band, art club etc, you
are penalizing students who participate because they are being put under scrutiny not afforded to the entire student body.
How many drug "addicts" do we really have in the Drama club? Math bowl? This entire process has yet to prove to me
there is any REAL problem. I'm sorry those two kids died, but their parents KNEW there was a problem with them. There
was no secrets.
70
I have students at the HS and at the middle school level. I don't believe that the "involved kids" are the ones who are
abusing drugs. It is not fair to test only those in activities, while other kids, who have more free time and are probably more
likely to abuse drugs, will never be tested or disciplined. I will never support random drug testing.
71
If this truly to be random we need to test the entire student body not just a select portion. There needs to be a plan in place
if a test comes back positive to assure it wasn't a false positive. There are way to many open ended questions that the
board hasn't answered or cannot answer at this time to validate a reason and need for drug testing. Why are w not working
on educating and understanding what needs to be done then assuming that we have done everything possible and have a
drug problem to begin with.
72
I understand why you can only test those students in extracurricular activities, but I believe that you will end up testing the
group of students that need testing the least.
73
unless you can truly randomly test (that is, all students) then I think this is a useless policy. The most problematic students
are those who are not in sports or extra activities, because they choose drugs over these activities. You are targeting
students that are most likely a small percentage of the problem. Put in a program that will get to the real users and
especially the drug dealers. I have a feeling the worst offenders are not athletes. And students will simply not sign up for
parking. If a student is on the fence about a sport and is toying with drugs, they will drop the sport which will only give them
more time for drugs. I understand the courts have tied your hands in this issue, which is stupid. If the courts will really not
allow you to fully implement random testing, then don't do it. It's a shame really because if not for that one issue, I would be
for testing. I would also be for testing regardless IF I believed that drugs were a huge issue at LZHS, but I do not believe
that it is. Put the money towards a officer acting as a student and arrest a few dealers.
74
I feel the laws make no sence...All the students and teachers in the school should be tested, not just the athletes!!!
75
I do not think it is fair to only drug test kids who are members of clubs, park on campus or are athletes, etc. If you are going
to drug test one kid, all kids should be included no matter what! Looks like segregating to me....
76
Why is the student getting a record if they test positive. I do not agree with this. Also why is this being bought up. Does
someone on the board have a financial interest in the testing or getting a kick back. Lastly lets put the money towards
school programs to keep kids busy after school and out of trouble.
do you people think you are? Do something positive.
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: Que... Page 6 of 43
77
I am opposed to this testing because I do not feel it is the schools responsibility AND I don't agree with the the
consequences AND I do not feel it will "fix" any drug problem LZHS may have AND I question the "randomness" of who will
be tested AND I think there are better things to spend the money on AND...I could go on and on!
78
Show me the law that gives you the power to negate a student's 4th and 5th amendments rights. You need a warrant. You
are a school remember.Do your job-educate.You are not a prison.
79
I don't believe the random drug test is necessary. It is expensive, but the biggest reason I have against this is the fact that
there should be reasonable cause to conduct such a test in the first place. If a child is in trouble and the school would like
confirmation of drug use, that is an appropriate use of the drug test at this age.
80
What evidence is there that a serious drug problem exists at the high school? What company is going to benefit from this
program? Did the district get "sold" on the idea that it should pursue this project and now feels it can't back away from it due
to the investment of time and money that has already been invested? Cut the losses at the money already spent to pursue
this boondoggle idea!
81
I will definitely litigate any forced testing of my child. The district has no right to randomly invade my child's privacy. I have
had other's confidential information mistakenly delivered to my child from the school, and therefore I don't believe the
district has the necessary competence to insure confidentiality.
82
There are students openly talking in the classrooms about their drug use. Yet I don't see teachers involved in getting these
students tested. If students are getting tested, teachers should be too.
83
The same rules should be applied to the entire student body. Either randomly test all the kids or none.
84
who wouldn't want to give their kids a(n) "valid/accepted" excuse to say NO (to peer pressure/friends)! It's the perfect OUT!
85
Children who may experiment with drugs in high school may also try sports or other activities. While the drug experimenting
is harmful to their future the sports and activities are beneficial. With this approach we are encouraging kids to voluntarily
remove themselves from one of the most positive influences in their lives and futures. If we could test all kids I would be for
it. But until then I am strongly against it.
86
I do believe it will be an effective deterrent, another tool for parents and because I believe we have more of a drug problem
with our students who are involved than people are willing to admit.
87
Research has shown that kicking kids out of sports/activities when they test positive in school drug tests, actually
INCREASES their drug use. This will not deter students, it will mearly give them more time to do drugs. If those is
approved, you will see an increase in drug use at LZHS. Also, your survey design sucks. You should be able to select
multiple options for Question 4. Instead of spending money on drug testing, shell out a few bucks for the upgraded survey
package.
88
I am opposed to random drug testing that could result in immediate consequences for students that test positive. Excluding
them from enriching activities that may be important for future opportunities seems drastic and counterproductive. For the
record-I have no faith whatsoever any administration has the ability to provide confidentiality to students who test positive.
Pure idealistic wishful thinking. EVERYONE will know who isn't parking/practicing/attending etc. I suggest that if the district
wants to to this, then gather data for a year or two and revisit the subject. If random tests are conducted, and %80 of the
sampled kids test positive, we would learn what drugs are circulating among the students. That is useful to know. Opiates?
Meth? I might feel differently about addressing this issue in the schools. If 80% of the sampled students test negative, and
the primariy drug is marijuana, then I suggest it is overkill, and a waste of resources.
89
Schools are not ment to be police states. If you feel you have a problem at school, collect evidence and establish probable
cause. Students should not give up their civil rights when they participate in after school or "privileged" activities. If the
students start driving the shool buses and are getting paid to make a living on behalf of the school an intelligible argument
might be made. Otherwise apply your logic to every school function. Randomly test every person that drives on school
grounds or even past the school on the public roadway. They too would pose the same threat as an under the influence
student. This is right up there with the lazy "zero tolerance policies".
90
I have no interest in having the school subjecting students to random drug testing. If I want my child tested for drugs, I can
do so at home. I do not believe this will be a deterent. Empowering staff to intervene with kids at risk in a positive,
resourceful way will be more effective in the long run.
91
I am subjected to random drug tests at work and felt violated every time i had to pee in a cup! I may be one of the rare
people left on this earth that has yet to have "USED" illeagal drugs but i still feel that it's not the responsability of anyone
other than law inforcement to police any wrong doings
92
In favor!
93
It could save a kids life.
94
If a student is having problem either in grades or behavior, it is the parents responsibilty to be notified and take corrective
action.
95
There is a probability of error with the tests exists and the proposed process does not recognize this and provide a re-test.
96
Does a "tip" of a child using drugs is grounds for him/her to be tested? If so, what if this child is being targeted due to
bulling? What happens to hair after testing? Will the hair be discarded properly and not being stored somewhere? How do I
know the hair will never be used for something else?
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: Que... Page 7 of 43
97
Question 4 should allow multiple responses, I have children at LZHS and MSN. I do not believe random testing is a
deterrent and I already feel the school district has commandeered too many of my parental responsibilities.
98
LET'S DO IT!!!!
99
I am opposed to the drug testing. we pay too much as it is for sports and clubs fees and I don't feel testing would do
anything except cost the parents more money.
100 Kids in extracurricular activities should not be singled out. Either it should be the whole student body or none.
I do believe there is a drug and alcohol problem at our school as it is in many schools. I realize some kids in sports and
clubs probably are involved with drugs but I also believe kids not involved in anything may be a bigger problem and they
101
are not even being tested. What if you brought in dogs to sniff the lockers - that seems like it would be more worthwhile and
more cost effective. I have seen kids smoking pot near the school before - is there a way to monitor this better?
I am strongly against random drug testing that targets the students in the school who are active and trying to participate in
activities and then punishes them in a way that will exclude them from going to college. Who would call this fair. If they have
102
a problem then offer them counseling or get them help, don't punish them for life. I will move from the district if this passes
in order to give my a future that they won't be able to get here.
103
i believe that there are better ways to deal with a drug situation...taking kids out of activities is NOT one..more strictly
enforcing the guidelines in place now-the card they sign (i forgot the name of them)for participating in sports-would be a
better starting place...stop letting the athletes caught now, with substance, get away with such offenses...look into other
programs that have been proven more effective in drug deterance.....
Although I feel that drug testing would not be a problem for my family, I can understand the confusion and hesitation
coming from the other families. Unfortunately, I feel as if random drug testing will NOT cut down on the number of kids that
drink and drive and maybe the funds that are being allocated to this project could be better spent in the district on programs
explaining the effects of drugs and alcohol on families and community. And maybe that won't help at all because the kids
104 that do this type of thing often come from homes where their parents are too busy to care, so they won't care about the
effects on said families. It is a difficult topic but one that we have addressed in our home. If it helps, both of my children (8th
and 12th grade) think that you should do drug testing. They both said they think it would help. Has anyone asked the kids
what they think???? I know that this is a difficult decision to make but just know that we cannot fix every problem all of the
time, but if we fix some of the problems some of the time, at least we are moving forward.
I would like to understand what prompted the school board to move in this direction. Falling test scores? Not enough
college bound students? It is coming from left field for those of us who have middle and elementary aged students. How
can we more effectively educate our younger students consistently throughout the elementary and middle school years so
that decisions about saying no are based in self respect and respect for others instead of FEAR? This proposal is ONLY
"random" among a SELECTED group as a result of Supreme Court ruling, therefore not truly random at all! Why not employ
an educational approach that encompasses the ENTIRE student body, and parents as well? Why not be intentional in
approach instead of "random"? What about the district working with The Ela Coalition Against Substance Abuse to design a
yearly class that parents and children must attend together? Make it MANDATORY for all incoming Freshman and a parent,
(which according to statistics is a very vulnerable age.) Make me accountable as a parent! This proposed policy has great
potential to fail the very students who may actually have a drug addiction and who may be bring illegal substances onto
105 school property, thereby compromising the rights and safety of fellow students. How can we reach those students? If we
don't have something in place that has potential to reach all students, then we run the risk of failing a certain population of
students. How does that provide "fairness and equity"? If we "shoot for the MOON we will land among the stars!" Put
something in place that gives EVERY SINGLE STUDENT IN THIS DISTRICT an opportunity to meet life challenges with
success. EDUACTION will help the district manifest its' mission! Drug Free Schools: Schools Responsibilty...(bringing in the
dogs... now that is RANDOM!!! Go for it!) Drug Free Children: Parents Responsibility This proposed policy puts up a wall,
draws a line in the sand between parents and school...I want my children's teachers to feel comfortable and empowered to
reach out to me if they suspect a problem with one of my children. This policy strips teacher's of their power. This policy
strips me of my responsibility as a parent. This policy does nothing to educate or empower students to "flourish as
independent citizens in a global community." I want to work WITH you and not AGAINST you. TOGETHER we can do so
much more for these kids. Please do not put up this wall.
106
The district has way bigger problems to solve than a drug problem. Put that money ans resources to more productive use.
In addition, I have no confidence in the districts ability to manage this program correctly.
107
The partnership between school and home is important. Therefore, if the school randomly drug tests our children, and the
result is positive, we would be grateful for the information. Parents don't always 'see' everything.
108
I strongly believe in random drug testing if the kids who are guilty will be given the help they need but the bigger problem in
our community is alcohol and the parents are very guilty in thinking it's ok for high school age children to drink
109 Great idea!
It is not your job to keep my children drug free, it is mine! It is almost a prejudice type issue singling out kids that are in
extracurricular activities and driving. That means the kid sitting next to a band member or dancer, could be smoking
110
whatever they can get their hands on but my child will be pulled out, embarassed and tested. And I have had enough
experience in this district, to know that there is ABSOLUTELY NO WAY
This is absolutely beyond the bounds of the schools' responsibility to educate. If I want to drug test my own child I will do so
111 at my own discretion. Students today are being conditioned to accept more intrusions into personal privacy and greater
erosions of individual freedoms, and this proposal takes us even farther down that road. There has been absolutely zero
demonstration that this policy is in any way necessary; it appears to be busy-bodies sticking their noses into other peoples'
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: Que... Page 8 of 43
business and trying to control others' lives. It will be a very sad day for our community if this policy is carried out, not for
what it achieves but rather for what it represents.
The district spends A TON of money on our athletic programs! They should have a say and being on a team is a privlage
not a right. If parents feel it is an invasion of privacy and rights, then send you child to another school! What are these
112
parents afraid of? Athletes tend to be looked up to and many students follow their behavior. So if an athlete thinks it cool to
drink or do drugs in front of other students, will it not have a rippling affect.
The school district should use taxpayer dollars to provide an academic education to students. If the school believes drug
use may be affecting a student’s academic performance, then please contact the parent. The parent can then choose to
113
have their child tested, or not. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. Thank you for allowing me to tell you how
strongly I feel about my role as the parent and your role as the educator.
114
I do not believe that total confidentiality can be met, that the negative consequences will really do anything to alter student
use, as well as not believing that it is the school's responsibility. I believe it is the parent's responsibility to monitor their kids
for drug use. If something is found on school grounds, then and only then should there be consequences, as this would
apply to the whole school population.
it just seems that that it is to close to illegal search and seizure. and infringes on an individuals rights. the word "random " is
115 a word that suggests an unwarranted breach of privacy. violating constitutional rights is not a thing the school board should
involve itself in.....
Where in the constitution of this country can a government body randomly select people to test them and then impose
consequences without any cause? Especially for a minor. This is a complete infringement on civil rights, privacy and
116
freedom. Not mention the discriminatory aspect of only choosing kids that participate in activities or drive a car. Sounds
more like 1930 s Germany than to good ole USA.
117
We require research based methods in the classroom, yet the school district is proposing a process that is not proven to be
the most effective deterrent. I would prefer a comprehensive, non-invasive process for ALL students.
118
I don't feel like this is the school's responsibility. And to only go after the kids who participate in activities or park at school is
wrong.
119 Pointless.
I am opposed to random drug testing for several reasons. One, I do not.believe it is a true deterrent to drug use. Second, I
120 do not agree with the proposed repercussions for a positive teat. Lastly, I believe it is the parents job, not the schools to
decide if they wish to test their child for drugs. I strongly oppose this entire proposal .
If anything, I believe that only testing 15 students per 6 weeks is too small of a number. It would be nice for students to use
this as a deterrent. Also, if the community really wants to know how big of a problem drugs are at LZHS, 15 is not a large
enough number to be reliable. This process would be helping the educational process. Education works a lot smoother
121 when students are coming to the classroom with clear heads. Let's face it, drugs are ILLEGAL!!! It all of our responsibility to
make sure our students are making smart decisions. We know that students are going to experiment. Thank you for
designing a process that ALL students can be held accountable to. Right now, zero tolerance just doesn't work for
everyone! This really seems do-able and allows for students to get help!
The school has many social responsibilities. I do not see random drug testing as a priority. There is no fairness in anything
random. Test all students that are in extra activities. How about including teachers and administrators? The courts have
122
ruled employee testing is OK? It would seem that a teacher or bus driver on drugs could do far more damage than a
student.
I attended an information session this Fall and did not feel the Board had considered all of the options and suggestions
brought by parents. While it is our responsibility to look for inoformation on drug testing I think it would servet the Board to
provide the most up to date pro and con data available to the district. I would also like to be provided the Court ruling
regarding 'privilege.' I also disagree with ustilizing hair testing as the first option. It is more expensive; more invasive to
privacy because it analyzes data up to 3 months prior to the test; has more room for negative outcomes for a student if th
etest is a false positive; because of the 3 month window there may be legitimate reasons for a positive test that a parent
has forgotten (broken arm in the summer and received darvocet but when tested 2.5 months later the incident in the
summer is forgotten). I tihnk this is a decision that needs to be made with more information supplied by the Board to the
school district parents and investigated by the Board. The procedures outlined could use more work as well because they
123 are unclear in areas and contradictory in others. More clarity is needed. Page 3, Confidentiality, #2: Information on a
positive test result will be shared on a need-to-know basis with the SAP coordinator.... The SAP Coordinator receives all of
the positive test results b/c she is responsible for notifying the students/family. This needs to be corrected or clarified if the
intent is different than what is written. Why not have the randomly chosen students tested during a study hall, lunch,
practice, or club meeting? Why should they be removed from any class? There has to be some kind of compromise to
ensure that academics are not affected. There MUST be more specific language and procedures in place to maintain
confidentiality. 'Every effort..' is not enough especially if the information, positive, negative or an error, is made public. Why
is the penalty for parking permit holders only 20 days when and athlete/club member can have significantly more than 20
days as a 'punishment?' In looking at some of the Youth Survey REsults on Substance Abuse, alcohol looks to be the
highest abused substance. This drug testing program does not look at drinking. Instead it is looking at hard drugs.
I think it is a great idea. Although I believe my kids do not participate in these types of activities, I happily subject them to
124 this, and would want to know the results. I also would want to have their team mates tested as I'd want to know if they were
in those types of activities. (or try to stop them if they were).
125 It is unnecessey cost for tax payer. Also it is parents responsiblity not school.
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: Que... Page 9 of 43
126
Please consider that there will be lawsuits over the random drug testing. Legal or not, you still would have to defend it in
court, and have enough funds to do so. Funds that would be better spent on education.
I believe random drug testing could be a way of promoting safety within the community. I am not personally aware of a
127 huge drug problem but at the same time if the scholl district feels that it would be in the best interest of the student body to
institute such a program I do not oppose such testing.
Where do we begin on how horrible this survey is laid out? The respondent should NOT see Q 2 or 3 until AFTER they
respond to Q1. And Q4--what if we have kids in 2 or 3 schools?? You cannot check more than one box. What about "all of
128 the above" for being against the drug testing? Cost, privacy, responsibilities, the testing method itself. A ranking option
would be more valuable, since I think most people have more than one reason for their opinion. The survey pretends any
other reason is irrelevant.
129
Though understand the courts don't permit drug testing of all students, we don't think athletes should be singled out unless
you are testing for performance enhancing drugs.
130
I strongly agree in having a random test, not only for students who are involved in sports or students that drive. I think that
this should be open to all students.
I am not necessarily in favor of testing but I think it can be used as an effective tool to help reduce possible use. The
penalties for having a first offense positive test seem a little harsh to me because at this age kids make mistakes and I think
131
they should be allowed to do that in a safe environment. I agree with harsher penalties for athletes for a second or third
offense though. At that point they need to make a decision as to what is a more important priority in their lives.
Random Drug testing is a good idea for high schoolers because just 10 years ago I was in high school myself, going to
school with kids that were into sports and wee doing drugs. I do not believe that it is safe for anyone having kids in sports
132
that are doing drugs. It could be harmful to themselves as well as other players. In addition they take an oath at the
beginning of a sport not to do drugs and none of them take it serious!
Random drug testing has been instituted in the private high schools in our area and has been very successful. While most
students in the private school system have tested negative for drugs, those who tested positive were given the counceling
133 and parental involvement needed to help those children. Every parent wants to beleive that they know their child is not
involved with drugs but sometimes a parent is just not aware. This does not reflect of their parenting skills, it just happens.
This could be a very useful tool for parents, coaches and educators to help the children of our community.
134 Test one test all regardless of what the court may say.
This survey did not allow me to adequately voice my opinion. The cost and confidentiality are equally important. Do studies
show that children not involved in school activities are more likely to use drugs or alcohol? Would the money be better
spent trying to teach about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. Are we getting special funds by outside parties to pay for the
135
testing or is the money being taken out of the school budget? Wouldn't it be more beneficial to identify at risk students and
get parental permission for testing. If my child was called for the testing and I was told she displayed at risk behaviors I
would be more willing to allow this.
136 Violation of their privacy and Constitutional Rights.
137
The availability of drugs is increasing. I believe that random drug testing is not only a deterrent but a potential life saving
check for the students.
138 This is a violation of our students right to privacy. Please stick to teaching we will do the parenting
139
I do not feel it is necessary to perform random drug tests. I think it is expensive and should only be done so if there is just
cause to believe that is a student is taking and or selling drugs.
140
I am strongly opposed to random drug testing for ALL of the reasons listed in Question #2 equally. This proposal is a bad
idea overall. I have children in both the Lake Zurich High School and a Lake Zurich middle school.
141
My only concern would be with special needs children who have prescription medication that could be misconstrued as
recreational drugs. Otherwise, I would hope that the random testing would deter kids from using.
If a student is having problems with drugs or alcohol, I think that removing them from extracurricular activities is the last
142 thing that should be done. Why would you take students away from peers who are active in a healthy school activity and
isolate them? It just does not make sense.
143 Over my dead body.
144 Spend the money on educating the students.
145
we will gladly volunteer our two high schoolers first. We have no doubt they will both pass with flying colors. Our motto: shut
up, pee in a cup!
I am definitely concerned about privacy and have a concern about where this information could end up. One mistake by a
good kid could determine and penalize them when it comes time to get into college. Also, this information, in the wrong
hands, could be used against them. I do not feel, nor am I comfortable with the school taking on this responsibility. If you
146 are concerned about a drug problem, have more police officers patroling the school. Why is it you can spend my tax dollars
on drug tests, but there isn't any action taken early on in the elementary school or middle schools to monitor the type of
music and lyrics that are played during school in an elementary gymnasium, BY THE GYM TEACHER, or on the bus, BY
DISTRICT EMPLOYEES? I was completely offended to hear Teenage Dream, by Katy Perry, being played during an
elementary gym class, which I heard with my own ears, while waiting for my daughter in the hallway. Be consistent! If you
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: ...
Page 10 of 43
are going to drug test, then filter the music allowed, the movies that are watched during school hours, have a strict
bullying/cyber bullying policy, etc... Walk the talk consistently and completely!
147
#4 - I have a. High School and c. LZ Elementary. Why does your survey NOT allow a multiple answer here? I am against
the KIND of TEST because it involves DNA, and may not show a time range of use. On top of that, the cost is exorbitant.
148 All should be available for random testing or none at all!
I think random drug tesing is a great idea, however I do not feel it should be limited to students in activities or sports . I
storngly believe it should be for ALL students at anytime. Why should students in activities be singled out . Every student,
149
teacher, parent, and anyone associated with the school should be drug tested at random times. We need to send a
message to the community that we are serious about drug AND alcohol abuse . No exceptions.
150
Being randomly tested by parents, schools or other organizations gives students a plausible excuse for not giving in to peer
pressure as long as there is an adequately negative consequence for a positive test.
I am vehemently opposed to any form of drug testing being required, administered, or taking place in any of our schools.
First and foremost, this is unconstitutional. Beyond that, there are financial and personal implications that many proponents
of this are just not considering in certain terms, and over the course of a person’s life. Who is going to pay for this? My
current property tax bill hovers around $13,000 annually, with about 70% of that going to the school district. This amount is
insane. It cannot be justified, and there is no way I can support anything that amounts to more reckless spending on
fruitless endeavors. Drug testing has been around for quite sometime, and has drawn much debate. If it were effective, it
would stand to reason that we would see some noticeable results after more than two decades. Instead, we now have a
multi-million dollar industry devoted to helping people cheat the drug tests. The effort is pointless and absurd, and it
produces a ridiculous amount of waste. And, at the end of it, the people, our children, who are subjected to this, get to walk
away with shame and their dignity stripped, regardless of the result. Not to mention that the result may, or may not, be
accurate due to a number of factors these testing organizations are unlikely to ever perfect. What lesson does this course
151 of action teach a developing generation? Where are our children’s opportunities to learn tried and true personal values?
What message does this send about the importance of trust, honesty and integrity? To me, it says the idea of building
esteem and earning a good reputation is gone. Why bother when all elements of respect are removed? Our freedoms and
the Honor System were not born from laziness, or the inability to mind everyone’s actions. They are the tests, and they
already have sufficient checks and balances. Parents are responsible for their children, and it has to be accepted that some
will do better jobs than others. This is not a shortcoming for our government to assume, through our schools, or in any
manner. It is part of the human condition, and there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution. That said – drug use should be taken
seriously. If there is reason to think, or evidence that a student is on drugs, or in possession of drugs, then the pre-existing
rules and policies are sufficient, and they should be applied. It is that simple. Confirmed drug use should be grounds for
suspension or expulsion, and law enforcement should be called in to handle their end of things. From there, it is the
responsibility of individuals’ parents and guardians. Quite frankly, there is nothing stopping the proponents from taking their
children in for routine drug testing, and incurring those expenses personally and directly.
152
I do not feel this is the school's responsibility to drug test our kids. Leave it to the parents. Test the teachers. That is your
responsibility.
153 We also have 2 middle schoolers
154
Anyway we can fight drugs in the community and keep our children safe is worth the cost and effort. I would also vote for
random locker inspections as well. Bring in the dogs.
155
I am opposed to the drug testing on the students that are most likely not to be using drugs...Athelets. You should be more
concerned with students that don't participate in activities. Do all or none! I have a student at LZHS & MSN
156 The purpose of schooling is to teach students. Drug testing is not teaching.
157 what drugs are you testing for...pot? steroids? other drugs?
This should be a parent driven responsibility to their own children, not the schools. As I am aware, we already have one of
158 the more stringent policies than other schools in our area. Why not utilize that money by bringing in more guest speakers,
drug related classes or assemblies centered around how drugs and alcohol have affected real peoples lives?
BTW - Question 4 did not allow multiple entries - I have one in HS, Middle School, and a preschooler to enter kindergarten
next year. As for random drug testing, I do not believe drug testing should be done at the school. The school's involvement
should only extend as part of their regular due diligence for suspect behavior. I would accept, understanding if only legal
restrictions were lifted, drug testing as part of the required annual/periodic health assessments because this would ensure
that families are taking "their active ownership" of their children's health. On that, should a parent pay for these tests and
administer via the doctor, you may want to consider exempting the student from the random procedure as parents will then
have the information THEY need on a regular basis for "their active management" of their children's health. There is no
159
doubt that the school's involvement will further complicate a serious situation versus offering more benefits to help the
family. With a policy, you'll remove the opportunity for discretion of the school and the family. It is inappropriate for parents
to hope the school "does something" by building an action-oriented policy on something they should be dealing with more
proactively on their own. The school should, as it does already, have a policy and process on how to research and resolve
more direct issues when students have drugs while on their property. The school can help but should not feel they are
required to be pre-emptive. The situation in LZ is NOT at a level to encourage such a heavy hand nor increased
involvement by the school.
I understand the Supreme Court has cleared this type of testing, but like Roe vs. Wade; just because you can doesn't mean
160 you should. I firmly believe that we should not be so quick to relinquish the rights of our children or subject them to the
possibility of misuse, abuse and violation that could occur when they are put in a compromising and humiliating position.
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: ...
Page 11 of 43
This is an issue that belongs in a Doctors office not administered by a school official, coach or teacher. Like the police,
there should be probable cause to instigate a search. I do not believe that the school should be afforded the right to their
substitute judgement for parents, police or doctors.
The responsibility of the school is to provide a safe environment for students to learn. This policy will not help accomplish
that. I think its terrible to take an innocent kid out of a classroom to be tested for no other reason than they have signed up
161 to be involved in school activities/sports/parking. I don't think there is any evidence that it will be a deterrent to those who
will do drugs anyway. I think there is a drug problem at the high school but police intervention targeted at those who have
shown suspicous behavior is where the focus and money should be spent.
162
Perhaps a compromise for the parents of current high school students who are so strongly opposed to this could be to
grandfather in the existing students (who presumably already have experiemented with drugs before this policy was
enacted) The focus should be on deterring drugs from middle schoolers - they are the most vunerable, by high school the
damage is done.
I think it gives students a reason to say no to drugs. If there is the possibility that they will be tested, they won't do it. Also, I
163 would want to know if my child was doing drugs and think it would definitely deter them from doing it. I don't see any
downside at all
This proposal sounds like a nightmare to keep track of and enforce. The cost of the testing itself may be insignificant, but
the cost of the administration of the tests and all the follow-up sounds like it could add up. If a student is exhibiting
behaviors which warrant a drug test, then s/he should be reported to the police and let the authorities handle it. It is not the
164
school's responsibility to take this on. I am also concerned about confidentiality issues. I have a student at the high school
and know drugs are being used by students, but I also know that this is an illegal act that needs to be handled by the police,
not our school district.
165
We have students in Lake Zurich at the High School, Middle School and Elementary school levels and strongly oppose
drug testing.
I cannot believe the District would make such an important decision based upon a survey of FIVE questions. There is
absolutely no link between such random testing and negative sanctions being effective to stop drug use, instead the data
shows opposite results. This is something that has clearly not been properly researched and is another pet project of a
166 superintendent who doesn't own property in District 95 and therefore has not one iota of concern about how his actions thus
far have devalued our property or made no one want to purchase in our community because they think we either have a
drug problem (untrue per our police chief) or that our district operates unfettered and unwatched by our BoE, like Nazi
germany. This is the exact quote of how our community has been referred to in the media.
167 I have heard that false positive test results can occur. How will this be handled?
i am not opposed to testing as long as: funding is available, consequences to a positive test need to be fair and equal to all
students along with a fair chance to prove "innocence" in the event of a false positive - which is not uncommon. The type of
testing needs to be revisited, someone with long "older" hair vs short, frequently cut hair - what is the probability of the long
hair harboring "toxins" longer than the short hair. Can hair absorb the toxins just from being around, say smoke, from drugs
being smoked and then test positive? counseling should be the first round of defense and not removing the student from an
168
activity that may help keep a student in need away from down time and trouble. i think there is a lot of potential with a
program like this but there are many gray areas that need to be clarified. i know you can't test all students by law, however,
and i'm no lawyer...what if every student/parent sign the pledge forms that the students sign for extra curriculars. by
pledging, does that give the district the ability to test all that sign this document? maybe that is a way to appease the parent
group of opposition toward drug testing.
169
I feel that the majority of students with drug or alcohol problems are not involved in activities at the high school and thus
would not be tested. The parking inclusion helps with upper classmen only.
170 I would have answered number 2 with more than 1 answer!
The fifth Amendment to the US Constitution states: "No person shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness
171 against himself." This is not the right of any law officer, let alone the administration of any educational body to deny this
right on the basis that students are not given common rights of a citizen.
I do not trust the accuracy of drug testing. Certain foods (such as seeds) and legitimate OTC drusg can cause a false
172 positive. My student takes sinus medication, including a steriod inhaler, and also medication for ADHD. I know that you
intend to take prescription medications into account. However, I have serious doubts.
173
It is the constitutionality violations I oblect to. Me and my rights as to how I raise my children, my childrens rights to not be
violated by the testing procedurre just walking into school, my rights to have my child not be violated by going to school,
and so on. How would you feel if it were required of you, ,to go to a place you have no choice in going to? I have to send
them to your school, you don't have to work there.
The time, money, and resources spent debating that issue could be used in a more constructive manner; to help students
with learning difficulties, push the gifted ones even more, etc. I cannot comprehend why the school board feels it is its role
to institute a police state in our schools, I am strongly considering sending my daughter to a different high-school for that
174
reason. How would you feel if your employer decided to conduct those same random testings, if you were presumed guilty
every morning when you walked into your office? Please let the parents and the police deal with drug issues, and focus on
your mandate which is to educate our children. This is an outrageous misuse of our tax dollars.
175 You cannot drug test only certain kids. All kids should be checked. If the courts say no to all kids than it's not far to only
check kids who drive or are in clubs and sports. I feel that kids who are not involved in these extra school acivities have
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: ...
Page 12 of 43
extra time on their hands to get into trouble. I also feel that there will be a confidentiality issue for kids that are positive. And
how is 10 days of no driving to school the same as sporting punishment. This is not far at all.
I am shocked the BOE is still considering following through with this despite the feedback collected from the last survey.
Parents (the tax payers who fund this school) are NOT in favor of this punitive - punish the kids who are trying to get
involved in a positive way - random drug testing. At the community forum it was acknowledged that LZHS does NOT have a
big drug problem. The student surveys also show that LZHS does not have a big drug problem. For every 100 students who
are tested - how many students do you expect to get a true positive from? One? Is it worth putting 99 student through these
tests to maybe find one child who NEEDS HELP (not punishment as this punitive BOE is trying to enact). This is the very
school who had a TEACHER sexually abusing a child and I am to trust that you know how to handle confidential random
drug testing? Give me a break. You guys don't know what's going on right under your nose with the paid adults at that
176
school. I guess we all know if we send our kids to LZHS we need to have a lawyer on retainer. I DO NOT NEED LZHS OR
THE BOE TO PARENT MY CHILD. I am perfectly competent . I trust if any adult at the school suspects my child has a drug
problem they will CONTACT ME! What happened to good old fashioned communication? This policy is ill conceived. It is
PUNISHING and WILL make kids think TWICE before bothering to get involved with school activities. Heck, as a parent, I'm
thinking twice about even sending my child to LZHS if the school that I am funding has decided that it's role is no longer to
educate - but to become a police state. DO NOT PUNISH THE GOOD KIDS. DO NOT PUNISH THE MAJORITY IN
HOPES OF "BUSTING" A VAST MINORITY. Oh, and I am sure the community will be very, very angry and people will lose
jobs when the law suits come rolling in and you expect the tax payers to foot the bill for the litigation.
I am opposed to random drug testing because the students who should be tested and more apt to be using drugs are not
177 involved in sports or after school activities. Students who are involved in sports and clubs are less likely to be involved with
drugs.
I do not think this policy is being well thought out. I feel it is being rushed. Furthermore, I understand that students with
priviledges are only eligible for testing but I do not like the fact that coaches cutting students from a sport by default
possible decide that those students don't have to be tested. Also will the cost of testing by spread across all the clubs,
sports and parking fees? I certainly don't want to pay for it if my child doesn't participate! Finally, if this policy is based on
178
privileges middle school students should be included too. Statistics show drug use is starting in middle school and the
reality is a threat of getting caught will carry more weight there than in High School. As a board put your pride a side slow
down and be more deliberate in thinking this policy through. I would even go so far as to put it out to a non-binding
referendum. We have an election coming up in 2012. Thank you.
Unfortunately, there IS a drug problem at LZHS, as well as most other high schools in our country. For that matter, there is
a drug problem in our work places (including schools), our places of worship, EVERYWHERE. My concern is that the
schools are charged to TEACH our kids; let's focus on ACADEMIC issues. I understand that drug issues can detract from
school, but if a teacher suspects an issue, that child can be sent to counselor, social worker, hospital or police. I want you
179
to focus on TEACHING and LEARNING. We only have to look at test scores to realize that there's a problem with
ACADEMICS. There are kids being abused, neglected, demeaned, etc., etc. and unfortunately, we cannot keep throwing
our (limited) resources in an attempt to "solve" all these social issues. But education IS always part of the solution, so let's
start EDUCATING!
180 My only reservation concerning random drug testing is false positive results.
181 great idea
Make sure any results are private. I know that a teacher gave a letter regarding private information to the wrong student.
182 Fortunately the parent didn't open the envelope fully when he noticed it was not about his child. Administration should
handle the testing/results procedure.
My concern with the parking punishment is with the graduated return of the spot. If the child tests positive after due process
it should be lost for the year. If that child gets into an accident on the way to or from school or in the parking lot the district
183
will be responsible for that accident. If the district really wants to help that child protect them from living with such
consequences and protect the public.
I chose "g" for question 2 because I agree with all the other answers. Plus I feel the board has not published sufficient
184 answers to those questions at the last public meeting to convince me to even consider the possiblity for the need of random
drug testing.
185
Show me the statistics for our distict that warrents such testing. If there is the need then it would be prudent to start in
middle school as well to be proactive. Why wait until high school to deal with an establish problem.
I am opposed to any drug testing of students. I believe it will not act as a deterrent for every study that says it gives
students a reason to refuse there are even more that find that it has no effect on drug use. To stress a student unduly, have
186 you ever been drug tested, is uncalled for. Even if you know it will come back negative the process is stressful and will do
more harm then good. Please reconsider this course of action as it will affect the mentality of all the students in a negative
way.
First in ? # 4 above you can't answer more than one. I have a child in HS and In MS. My HS child would be mortified if she
was randomly pulled to be drug tested from one of the clubs she is. I understand there are drugs in the schools but is it that
bad that we need to be randomly testing the kids that are involved in school sports and clubs? What about all the kids who
187
are not involved in anything and are more likely the ones to be involved with drugs? Why are these children not being
randomly tested also? I think there are a lot of unanswered ?? That should be looked into before this policy is voted on. I
DO NOT AGREE WITH IT AND WOULD NOT WANT MY CHILDREN TESTED.
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: ...
Page 13 of 43
I think we could offer less expensive, proactive programs that would provide a greater impact our children's view of drugs &
188 their destructive nature. An example is a drug panel of teens, parents, counselors who have struggled with drug addiction &
rehab. This panel could be presented as an all school assembly & after school for parents/students.
189 Big Brother stay out of my family!
Only those who are using drugs have any reason to be afraid. Maybe the outrage against it is by parents who feel that it is
a right of passage for teenagers to use drugs. THEY ARE WRONG! I believe that any excuse that we can provide kids for
190 not using drugs is a win-win. For a student to say, "no, i won't use drugs because I can't take the chance of being drug
tested" is a great way out for students. We need to give them more ways out. What happened to the phrase, "you use, you
loose"? Does our community really believe that drugs are a "right of passage"? I hope not!
It seems to me if a student is suspended from a privildege the student population will know it was for a positive drug test.
191 Clearly if a student tests positive there is a problem to be needs to be dealth with, with some compassion and support. I do
not see how announcing it to the student body through suspension is either supportive or compassionate.
Random drug testing is wrong. It violates the rights of individuals not to have to undergo unjustified searches. It shows the
administration and teachers have a general distrust of students. To catch a few drug offenders, you are willing to violate the
rights of every student who tests negative for drugs. Issues related to drugs are a parents responsibility and should be
192
handled by the parent. By failing to allow a student to participate who tests positive, you have now made the problem worse
for them because they are more apt to continue doing drugs with all of the extra free time. The time spent on extracurricular activities with positive role models is now no longer available to them.
193
Find some other way to deal with any drug problem but don't humiliate the kids who most likely don't do drugs. The kids in
the activities are the ones least likely to be doing drugs. Drug testing in the workplace in one thing. People choose to take a
job. If they want the job, drug testing is part of the process. The prospective employee can make the choice. Children don't
have a choice of whether or not to go to school. Drug testing does not belong in the schools.
My child is currently taking medication for ADHD that contains some of the same drugs that will be tested for. But according
to the draft on the district website, the test would still be administered even if the parents and child admits this in advance.
We give our child this medication only on school days mostly because the teachers and special education personnel
194 strongly recommended it. Apparently we can deal with our child at home but the school personnel can not. Now the same
school district is going to turn around and expect our child to pass a drug test and when it comes back positive, place the
burden on us parents to prove our child is innocent. I sure hope I'll be able to do this within 48 hours. I didn't see anything in
the draft that I read on the school district website for parents in this situation to be proactive and prevent it.
195 Public school's mission is to educate, not to spend our tax dollars testing POTENTIAL drug users.
196
I am concerned that random drug testing with make teachers and parents less vigilant about other warning signs - changes
in behavior, attitude, grades, etc. Also, this is one more shift of parental responsibility to the schools.
197
I think that if the school has reasonable suspicion that a student has drugs at school or is under the influence of drugs at
school or on school grounds then and only then should they have the responsibility to test that particular student. I agree
that we need to have a safe school environment but putting many kids up for the testing is unfair and in most cases it
should be the responsibility of the parents.
198 Where are the professional studies showing there is a significant abuse problem in the High School?
199
I trust my daughter, but some additional motivation to stay in-line is welcome. There are too many negative influences in the
world today.
The Extra-Curricular Guidelines section of the Student Handbook states students will sign anti-abuse pledge cards at a pre200 season meeting, however, it does not state in the handbook or on the pledge card that students participating in ExtraCurricular activities may be subjected to random drug tests.
201 If child tests positive it should not go on his or her permanent record at least after the first offense.
Bad move, starting with 'courts have held ... because of privilege argument...' That is a losing position for the boards over
the long run at the appeals levels and at the State Supreme Court - where this is surely headed. $4200 per year to
administer? You can't be this stupid? Wait till you have two and three scholarship athletes per year suing you because you
blew up their future. These will be litigated - hard. You need probable preceding cause and consequent provable damages
neither of which you will have in any of the cases. Legal costs for the board and for the families will be gigantic, which is
why the lawyers are just waiting. Wait till you have to settle a few or lose before a jury on a couple, the $4200 is fast going
to grow zeroes. How's $4.2 million feel? Add that to the district deficit hole. This Kafka-like program is being pushed
covertly by the lobbyists for those who stand to gain big by its implementation including the drug testing racket and the
other usual suspects who get fat rich off these boondoggles. This stupid scheme fails by other angles of analysis also. It
fails even by some moral, even some biblical reckonings such as 'let he who is without sin cast the first stone.' If you're
202
going to test lead by example: post the results of drug testing for the school administration, the athletic director the coach of
any sport with a positive tested athlete - all school personnel - since you're testing for clubs and parking spaces. And before
any sanctions are meted out to any student have those in the administration linked to that student sign a sworn oath that
he, himself, has never used any 'drug' and thereby can sign off on that punishment determined - and cause that stone be
cast. There is no believable reason for beginning testing now when you could have and did not test before. There is no
provable nexus of cause - effect linkage for anything at school regarding those students randomly chosen for testing. Here's
a better idea. Before you test anyone - starting with yourselves - read Kafka e.g. The Trial and also America, have a nice
series of discussions with 'break - out groups' and all that academic stuff; then meet to vote on whether this is a bad idea
and perhaps you should get off of it - fast? If I didn't know better, I'd wonder why you guys hadn't put the kibosh on this
caboodle already.
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: ...
Page 14 of 43
203
If you are testing students, it should be random student body, not just athletes! Students in extracurricular school sports are
some of the most dedicated, intelligent students smart enough to not do drugs!
204
All other high schools do it and it should be random for ALL students not jus those involved in sports and clubs. Those not
involved are more abt be using and needing help!!
I am opposed to"RANDOM". I would support testing with Probable Cause. And then with the parents consent. If there is a
205 student that meets the criteria of Probable Cause the parent is to be notified that a drug test is warranted. They should be
given the choice of testing at their own expense and providing verifiable results or the school will do the testing.
206
I believe that you will be targeting the wrong people by only testing kids involved in sports. I would tend to think that the kids
doing drugs regulary are NOT involved in sports.
When I went to lzhs it was the sports players that got high and drunk. Those were the "cool" kids. I think random testing is
great. How could anything that can possibly deter students from doing something illegal possibly be bad? If your kids are
207 not using illegal substances then you shouldn't be concerned. If they were, wouldn't you want to know so you can get them
help? This is also good so the athletes can be a good example to their piers who at the end of the day probably decided
what is cool even if they don't want to. Best wishes passing this district 95!
They should becuase "clean" kids should get the priviledges of parking and priviledges representing the school as members
208 teams and clubs. Stand up for the "good" kids! These items are not a right, so parents who do not want their kids testes,
fine. They just will not see their kids representing the school. They will still get their education.
I don't believe the School should have the authority to implement a program like this. If our Society keeps creating zero
tolerance rules and laws especially to teenagers who are imperfect to begin with, we are setting them up to get in much
209 trouble as they go to College. We were all kids once and we are still here. I myself NEVER tried a drug in my life but I had
many friends who tried things. As human beings we have to be able to make mistakes and learn from them. If we keep
creating a society where we expect everyone to be perfect I think we are creating MORE problems. I strongly oppose this.
It is likely that students who are using drugs will avoid participation in extracurricular activities that would target them for
210 drug testing. If your goal is to help the students or alert the parents this is not the program. Wouldn't it be better to engage
the non-activity students in some way to help them with any drug problems they may have?
211 we need to help our students any way we can to the dangers of expermenting with drugs
212 I have children at the High School, Middle School North and May Whitney but could only choose one on question 4.
213 I think that drug testing at Lake Zurich high school is LONG over due.
I have students at the high school and at the middle school and I am strongly opposed to drug testing for ALL of the
reasons stated in question 2 (although I picked just one for purposes of this survey). In addition to those reasons stated in
question 2, UNLESS THERE IS PROBABLE CAUSE, NO STUDENT SHOULD BE SUBJECTED TO DRUG TESTING AT
SCHOOL. If school does not teach and reinforce the rights given to us in the US Constitution, our children will become
accustomed to not having the right to be protected from searches where no probable cause exists. They will come to
accept the idea that this right belongs only to certain groups of people and will no longer question when it's taken away. I'm
214
afraid they will tolerate it and will come to believe that it's not worth fighting to keep this right or to fight for others when this
right is taken away. How unsettling. In addition, LZHS's PSAE (ACT scores) continue to rise, we are adding more AP
classes to accommodate students who need a more rigorous course load, and our school was identified as one of
America's Best High Schools by the Washington Post/Newsweek for 2011 -- sounds like a school with a drug problem? or a
school where safety is an issue? Let's keep our focus where it belongs on education including keeping students involved in
academics and activities.
215 LZ can lead the community by implementing this essential program.
216
I believe we as a community should do what is best for our children. If this helps one child that has an issue then it would
be a success
217
Random drug testing without probable cause is an invasion of a child’s privacy. And why single out those students who
participate in supervised activities and are responsible enough to have a parking spot etc? It doesn't make any sense.
What happens when a perspective college of the convicted student finds out? Adolescent brains have irrational thoughts,
218 that is a fact. As not only a parent, but also a teacher, I worry about "after the facts" and what follow up will be used. This
could be devastating to a student and their entire family.
219
Schools are taking away parents rights. It is the schools job to educate my student not police them. If there is a drug
problem it is up to the parents to handle that situation.
220
My concern would be cost to the district. If it will deter cost away from educational needs, then I am not in favor of it at this
time.
The high school students should be held to a high standard, behavior being an important aspect of involvment. Also,
221 students are "fortunate" to be caught if they are using drugs because intervention may ensue and those around them may
step in to help.
222
If implemented randomly, it should apply to entire student body, not just extra activities. Also have concerns of how cost will
be applied
223 Q 4 needs to be allowed multiple answers. I have a HS, middle schooler and a three years ago would have been able to
answer all a, b and c affirmatively. As parents we are, in some ways, surprised by the overwhelmingly plurality against
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: ...
Page 15 of 43
random drug testing. In hindsight, it would have been beneficial to roll out some of the grave statistics about our #95 kids
and substance abuse. I also think that parents are perspective needs to be broadened. For me, it's not so much about the
direct impact drug testing has on my kid. It's more about I hope you test my neighbor's kid so you can get him straightened
out because he influences my son's behavior.
As an educator and parent myself I am in favor of this proposal. Random drug testing provides students with another tool
224 on how to deal with peer pressure. Further, it addresses the "fence sitters." Those students who could go either way-perhaps knowing there is random drug testing, these students might be unlikely to engage in activities with drugs.
225
Im in favor because it is a deterrent, helps parents, and jholds students accountable for their actions. There is a drug
problem here and everywhere else.
This is assinine that this has wasted the time and money of everyone involved. Let's spend more time figuring out ways to
226 better educate our students. The school has a theft problem in the locker room for pays Ed students that has not been
addressed.
Although, I believe that it is NOT the school's responsibilty I am also STRONGLY concerned about the confidentiality and
even worse someone hacking into that information. Are we willing to jeopardize a child's future for a possible mistake?
227
Another waste of district money! Have you calcualted in the cost of the administrator that you will need to hire to run this
program?
228
I understand your concern for this matter, but please stick to your mandate as outlined in your mission statement. Your
responsibility is to inspire and educate our children.
229
I think that drug testing is appropriate for the high school and if testing is positive there needs to be consequences for
instance you are kicked off the football team.
230
This is a parenting issue and not a school issue. If there is reason to believe that a specific student has a drug problem,
then deal with that student and parents confidentially and privately.
231 If we are looking to deter students from bringing drugs into the school, then we should consider bringing in the drug dog.
I am opposed to random testing for a host of reasons, including reasons a, b & e in this surveys question #2. Will the board
consider a less corporal solution to this issue, such as additional education on drug and alcohol abuses for the entire
student body? Isn't education a more positive approach with more long-term results a better approach to this? Certainly, the
boards and parents concerns on these issues can be addressed with more substantive education on these perceived
232 problems. I would prefer the board take opportunities like this to focus on teaching the student body, rather than morally,
ethically and socially abusing the student body. Education works! Our students already make a solemn pledge to refrain
from using drugs and alcohol as a prerequisite to participating in extracurricular activities at LZ95. What will implementing
random drug testing teach our students about trust and commitment? Again, education works and I think I am preaching to
the choir on this!
This is not your job! It is my job to keep my children drug free. What will be next? Will you come and check my refridgerator
and tell me what I can feed my kids? The kids that are in these activities are the ones you'll test? Why? They're the ones
that are too busy to do these drugs! And I'll tell you this too...There is NO WAY that these tests will remain confidential!! I
233
have been around the staff at these schools to know that nothing is confidential! You want to know ANYTHING go to the
break room and you'll hear it! IF YOU IMPLEMENT THIS POLICY IT WILL BE A HORRIBLE DECISION AND I AM 100%
AGAINST IT!
234
Let schools teach and parents parent. Drug testing is only of concern to those participating in sports or if a child comes to
school clearly impaired. The cost is secondary to the concern I have for schools interfering with what parents should be
doing. We did not get our degrees in drug therapy, management, or moralaties of such. We were trained to educate and
inform-not to police.
235 #3 does not have an option I support
Sitting back and doing nothing doesn't help anyone. Any deterant is better than no deterant. (Just another tool for the
school Dist and the Parents) I do not believe that this is a reach past my parenting. The $5K to provide the testing is so
minimal in the big picture. Its to late when we have to say were did we go wrong!! What could we have done differently !!
236 And why didn't the District do anything to assist !! In the end this subject is a very emotional item and I get that. The board
needs to keep looking at the big picture. In the end anything to assist with prevention, stopping or getting assistance for a
student identified is what a program like this is all about. I strongly support this program for what it is.
(I currently have a Freshman student at LZHS)
237
The current system is sufficient. Neither the school nor the parents should bear the cost of drug testing--random or
otherwise.
238 Worries that the policy will not be enforced fairly and equitably.
239
We have wonderful students in this community. However, they are children and are prone to harmful influences and making
mistakes. Any information to educate the community and keep our kids safe is helpful.
240 I like the drug testing idea. The use of hair is my only concern. I would rather see a urine test.
241
I have had two other daughters graduate from LZHS and both have told us about the "stoners" hanging out across the
street, as well as other drug related incidents they witnessed at school..
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: ...
242
Page 16 of 43
Unless you have probable cause, or at least a reasonable suspicion, before testing a student, you are violating the
student's 4th amendment rights. The presumption of innocence is important.
243 Bad idea. Period.
This is poorly thought through, you have kids who have taken the time to join an activity and singled them out for a drug test
244 that does show a history of erroneous responses while allowing kids a simple out by quitting all activities. Does anyone on
the board interact with any kids for perspective; it would appear not.
245
We as parents need all the help we can get in finding out if our children have a drug problem or a 'lying' problem and
random drug testing gives us one more way to help our kids get on and stay on the right track, i.e., drug-free living.
246
I have students at the HS, LZMSS & elementary. Why wasn't I given the option to choose more than one? This is NOT the
school's responsibility; IT BELONGS TO THE PARENTS. Keep your noses out of our business!!!
247
I think it is important to make our schools as safe and healthy as we can. If there are children doing drug and we can detect
and catch it early enough we may be able to save that child from becoming addicted to drugs.
When implementing a program such as this, the need must be clearly established with public facts. A simple catch-all
phrase such as 'drug testing' doesn't do it for me. The mosty abused drug, alcohol, is not goign to be tested. This testing is
for the 'illicit' substance use, the least abused substance of the substance abuse shown by the graphs in the Illinois Youth
248
Survey results for LZ High school. Looking at those graphs from the Illinois Youth Survey results indicates that alcohol
abuse is the biggest problem by far. What is the school board doing about that? First focus on the BIGGEST problem, not
the smallest.
249 The survey would not allow you to choose more that 1 answer for question #4. I have MSS and HS students
I also feel that not only is it not the school responsibility it is also not the tax payers responsibility. Add the cost of the drug
250 test to the fees for playing in a sport or the parking pass. This money should be spent on the education of the kids and not
on a few of the bad seeds in the school. The parents should take care of their own kids.
251
I am fully in favor of the drug testing but can't see why any and all students would not be subjected to this random testing if
the goal is to help the student body at large.
The draft as proposed is so flawed, picking one answer that "most" represents your opinion is inadequate. Random drug252 sniffing dogs in the school. How about student assemblies with speakers (Lake County DEA officers-street guys that the
students can relate to) mandatory attendance.
253 you cannot single out students only who are in extra activities.
I strongly oppose the Board's and the High School's position that there is a drug use problem that is being handled
incorrectly or insufficiently. Further, I strongly oppose random drug testing. Not only has our school's test scores continued
to increase, there has been no evidence that warrants any lack of success with the current methods of drug awareness,lack
of success with regard to the penalty to any student found with drug use, or a need to further seek out possible drug use
among the student body, or a need to threathen to escalate a method of searching for drug use. The Board's position is that
this is all done to continue successful school scores, fight drug use, and maintain a front against drug use in any of the
privileges of extracurricular activities at school. I am so shocked that though the High School Administration and the School
Board have the POWER to impose and implement any policy they seem fit (under their own ill equipped short sided
254
guidelines), I am saddened that this misuse of POWER will strip our children of their constitutional right to freely walk into a
school and learn without the threat of a governmental body taking even a hair sample just because they feel entitled. To the
Board, the Superintendent, and the High School Administration, I along with many folks who have not yet begun to align
ourselves against this fine line you are crossing, I strongly oppose everything you are doing with this topic. Not one bit of
evidence has been proven to show the community you have the right to cross this fine line of our children's and our family's
rights. However earnest the intentions of the Board may be, there is no room for error here with regard to the student body's
rights. JUST BEGINNING TO SPEAK MY OPINION,
Parent of former LZ High School student, current LZ
High School students, and future LZ High School student.
I also have a student at an elementary school but item #4 would not allow multiple selections. The school is not a legal
authority that should be actively seeking to detect criminal behavior. If anything, I think taking this role would detract from
the coaches, teachers and counselors effectiveness as educators and mentors. A student who is struggling with substance
255
abuse will be evident to the school in other ways (e.g. drop in grades, poor attendance, disruptive behavior). School
personnel can assist these students individually and consult with the student's parents. Parents should be the ones who
seek medical and psychological services for their student.
This survey is a technical joke. It should be nullified. You are biasing the survey by revealing the choices for questions 2
and 3 independent of question 1. the correct way to do this is to have the person answer question 1, then have the
appropriate follow up (either 2 or 3) appear. The way it is now - a person could answer both questions and presumably their
256
answers would count in opposite directions. Also, question 4 could have more than 1 answer, but only one answer is
allowed. Having been at multiple meetings on this, the time taken by the Board to construct this survey just about matches
the time taken to critically think about this issue - a nominal and sadly weak effort for such an important topic.
I think the reason for drug testing by the school district needs to made perfectly clear. Why is the school district interested in
doing this? As a parent, I would say all the answers to 3. above apply. However this is only the beginning. I feel strongly
257 that there needs to be a program developed in dealing with the results. I am against kicking an athlete from a team
indefinitely. I think they should be required to attend a substance use/abuse class and be allowed to return to the sport after
tests are negative. Perhaps there is a cost to the parents for this retest. The parents should also be required to attend a
class or watch an online session. I feel our community is very unaware about drugs and alcohol use. Just knowing our child
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: ...
Page 17 of 43
tested positive and then removing them from sports without the interest in helping these kids cope and model better choices
could just create more problems for the child.
I have many reasons why I am opposed to random drug testing not just one. We should be able o check all that apply.
Reasons for oppostion 1. No proof of a problem so bad that it warrants taking away basic human rights. 2. It is not the
258 school's responsibility unless it happens on school grounds or at a school event. 3. I do not like the consequences. 4. It
assumes students are bad not good. 5. Search and seizure without probable cause is a loss of a fundamental right in a
democratic society. What message are we sendng students 6. It will not be confidential no matter what process you use.
259
I support drug testing only if all students are equally tested. You should not exclude students due to excellent performance
in sports or academics. The program must be truly random.
The use of drugs or other illegal substances are detectable by staff who are familiar with their students. If teachers do not
260 know the signs of drug use, teachers need to be educated. Teachers also need to develop ongong relationships with their
students so they can notice when behaviors change, etc.
261
this survey should have had a recap of the consequences and safeguards in place so I could review it before "voting". What
drugs will be tested for? illegal and or prescription?
262
Spend your money elsewhere where our school really needs it. You are barking up the wrong tree. Not necessary at all!
This is crazy! I vote NO NO NO NO NO !!!!!!
1. No sociological study breaking down drug problem 2. No evidence that drug testing will be effective 4. Testing group is
for active kids, while kids who are not in activities are free to use drugs. 5. Punishment takes away educational
opportunities and puts them outside of supervised activities. 6. No guarantee of confidentiality 7. Execution requires
breaching doctor-patient privacy rights 8. Test or refusal to test will be recorded as drug user and student will be kicked out
263
of all current activities. 9. Punishments, rehab procedures are not defined, but coaches and sponsors will have the
discretion to allow students to practice. 10. What is the cost of the S.A. Professional, testing costs and rehabilitation? 11.
Pressure and adults can manipulate students into making statements that start witch hunts against parents, kids and
neighbors.
While I understand that there is a drug problem in all schools these days, and I know that there needs to be efforts made to
channel students away from drugs, I am opposed to drug testing at the High School because I feel it unfairly targets those
kids who choose to participate in activities who are less likely to have problems with drugs. While I know that some of these
264
kids are likely to use drugs too, I don't think they should be targeted because it may discourage them from participating in
extra curricular activities. If they are subject to testing, then the entire student body should also be subject to testing. So,
until the laws are changed, I will remain opposed to instituting this policy in Lake Zurich.
265
I understand that you cannot test the entire school body as a whole, but why can't you have a "random" test of the entire
school body, not just those in activities?
266
Twelve parents do not represent the LZ community just because they have the loudest voices. I want my children safe
while they are in and around their school.
After a significant amount of thought on this issue, I believe the proposed policy is unwarranted; the proposed
consequences are easily gamed and open the district to law suits. I believe the proposed consequences are exactly the
wrong direction for keeping kids off drugs. In my experience, the best way to keep children from using drugs is to get and
keep them involved in positive activities. Penalizing first offenders with the loss of extracurriculars takes away one of the
most powerful drug avoidance strategies we have and may result in more drug use by those children who are
experimenting. The loss of a season may result in a lost scholarship opportunity for athletes, which will almost certainly
267
result in lawsuits. I believe it is ultimately the responsibility of parents and the community to keep their children free of
drugs. The school has a role in providing education and positive reinforcement, but detection and punitive measures are the
responsibility of parents and law enforcement. The school district should to reasonable measures to identify and punish
those students who use drugs on school property or at school events, but random testing goes well beyond the school’s
responsibility to insure a drug free environment. The proposed policy is poorly thought out, will not reduce drug use among
our students, will have numerous unintended consequences, and should not be adopted.
I don't think random drug testing is a job for a school. I think there is a better way of helping kids learn about the harms of
drugs. Has the school thought about having an x-junkie come and speak during health class? What about field trips to
268
prisons? What about having the kids visit the police station to get booked? What about a field trip to a morgue? Spend the
money that would go to testing on programs that prevents the problems before they start.
269
The penalty for failing a drug test should be more than three weeks in a sport. The penalty should also not be left up to the
digression of the coach. There should be a penalty outlined in the rules that cannot be overturned by a coach.
270
This would be done for students who choose to participate in extra activities and I think it is important that people are held
responsible for their actions!!!
271
In this Country there is a predisposition to the presumption of innocence. Signing up for a "privileged" school activity should
in no way reduce the freedom and privacy all students should enjoy.
I am fairly certain that there is a major drug problem in the Lake Zurich community. People can choose to turn their heads
or pretend that participation in drug use is not happening, or we can choose to do something about it. Like any change, it
272
will be tough at first and I am sure that there may things that will need to be modified over time. However, in the long term I
beleive that drug testing will help bring awareness to the community and deter students from partaking in drug use.
273 The students who have the "privilege" to participate in extra curricular activities are not the students who need to be tested
and monitored. In general, those students are the "good" kids and role models. They care about their school, their grades,
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: ...
Page 18 of 43
their reputations, and most importantaly themselves! Also, students' privacy will not be protected. Students will be pulled
from class to conduct these random tests. Other students and staff will be aware of why they are pulled from class.
Additionally, should someone test positive, the consequences will be obviously linked to the fact they were recently pulled
from class and tested. And the most important reason why students should NOT be drug tested by the school is because
these are children (minors) and without parental consent the school has no right to enforce drug testing. My children cannot
even go on a fieldtrip trip without my consent; why should my responsibilities as a parent be overruled by a school policy to
randomly drug test? They are my children and it is my responsibility to parent, not the school's!
I do not feel it is fair to test the students in the athletics group. They already sign a pledge card not to drink alcohol or do
drugs, and if they are caught they will be kicked out of that sport. Why bother to even have them sign the card then. I
274 believe you are targeting the wrong group. In most cases, it is the students that participate in the clubs and athletic activites
that do not do drugs. If you are required to choose a group to test, I feel it should be the students that are not involved in
clubs or athletics.
275 This is a confidential issue between the student and the parents.
276 I have children at Seth Paine and MSN and I think this is a great idea!
Just like the other survey there are many reasons to oppose drug testing not just one. A-G is why I'm opposed as well as
you have absolutely no plan in place to help kids with a "drug use" problem. I pay $2,800 a year for my son to play a club
277 sport. If he can't play anymore do I get that money back? I'm not concerned about my son doing drugs but there are so
many unanswered questions at this point that it is completely irresponsible to rush into drug testing without having
everything and I mean everything in black and white, organized and logical.
278
I am strongly against the district singling out kids and testing them. Also, this survey is confusing. I am strongly against it so
in question 3 why is it asking about me be in favor, when I am clearly NOT in favor?
Every testing has some errors,I would like to know what parents can do if they belive results are false positive.False
279 positive results can happen everywhere and anytime.Before school will point the finger on a child what parents can do to
make sure is not error. Question nr 4 schould have some "d" option,I have 3kids,one in every of those school.
280
The survey is again bias towards drug testing. It should be neutral. The opening instructions invite people to educate
themselves on the "effectiveness" of drug testing and people who google it WILL NOT educate themselves on the many
studies that show it does not work. Question 2 should have an option for "I believe it WILL NOT act as a deterrent" or "all of
the above". I strongly oppose random drug testing and the process that is being used to vet it.
It seems unfair that only those with parking privledges or members of sports teams be subject to this. If you cannot
281 encompass a larger student population, it just doesn't seem reasonable. Why should only a select group of students be
subject to these penalties? Just doesn't seem right.
Any test or program that can aid in saving the life of a young person should be part of the school system's policies. Many
282 parents don't know if their children are using drugs or choose to turn a blind eye towards it. However, NOT a single parent
who's lost a child or suffered with a child on drugs would ever say "I still wish we didn't have a drug testing policy"
In addition to my answer to #2, I am opposed to the drug testing because I don't believe there is enough evidence that it will
be effective tool to address the problem. In addition, it introduces many other concerns in terms of confidentiality,
discrimination, no adequate way to address a false positives, no adequate appeal process, severe consequences that may
not help address a drug problem if it exists, and the fact that it would test for drugs in a student's system for up to 3 months.
283 I also think the district would be putting itself at risk for a law suit. I would rather see the district focus on implementing some
more effective tools that touch all students. I would like to see more focus on education to students and parents. Focus on
students that are suspected of current drug use or those selling drugs. Perhaps provide information (or tesing kits) to
parents who want to randomly drug test their own kids on how they can do it themselves. I am certainly against drug use
but I don't think this is the right fix.
284
I do support random drug testing - however, only if this includes everyone. All students AND teachers as well. Then, and
only then, will this be fair.
285
I understand the need to test student athletes, but I am opposed to random testing of the general student body. It doesn't
matter to me if they drive to school, or take the bus.
286 I feel this matter should be handled at home by parents, not the High School.
I support random drug testing as outlined by the school district. I feel CUSD95 has done a very good job soliciting debate in
the community over this issue. I believe drug testing would be a deterrent to the alcohol abuse I KNOW is going on today.
Many people have said during the ongoing debate in our community that all parents support a drug- and alcohol-free high
287 school. I beg to differ. I know of several parents, who in their attempts to be "cool", have purchased alcohol for their children
and allowed it to be consumed by their kids' friends without parental consent. Underage drinking is illegal. If parents
disagree with this, they should lobby to repeal the law like a responsible person. It's too bad we need to spend CUSD95
money to do a parent's job, but unfortunately, we do.
As parents, we are unclear as to the definition, prevalence and severity of the problem being addressed by this proposed
policy. To keep drugs out of the school and for fair treatment to ALL students, drug dogs should be guided to perform
288 random checks of lockers and other common areas. Targeting a population of students that have a statistically lower
likelihood of drug use is misguided policy. One final point, the first question in the survey should have been re-phrased to
include something along the lines of "random drug testing of only "active and involved students."
289
This is a clear violation of Constitutional Rights. Expect Legal action against the District, the Board, and the specific
educational institutions participating.
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: ...
Page 19 of 43
The false positive results which can be highly detrimental to the student will be higher than the true positive results in a
290 population with a very low incidence. See the damage HIV testing did in couples getting married in Illinois until it was
abandoned for this very reason.
I feel that it is the parents responsibility to moniter thier children and if the parent feels it is necessary to drug test thier child
291 then that is thier right. If a child behaves in a manner at school that warrants banning them from sports or parking that is a
differnet story.
292
If testing postive, suspension or punishment should not be administered; rather counseling and educational programs
should be required. If you punish them from activities they enjoy, it will just alienate them further from the objective of
beeing responsible for their own future and the potential opportunities that are available. Punishment, in their mind, creates
a scapegoat for future failure.
This is an invasion of privacy and is the pareents' responsibility, if anyone's. I feel strongly that the schools have been
293 infringing more and more on the responsibilities of the parents and it is making the parents more and more dependent on
the schools to discipline and police their children.
My recent high school graduate was always concerned about so many "druggies" in the high school. Parents that worry
about anonimity of drug testing are worrying about the wrong thing. The kids know who among them are doing drugs. Once
294
your kid has a drug problem, pretending your family life is "normal" is over. Parents will need to face many hard issues; the
least of which will be how to keep their child's drug use a secret.
Instead of spending $ on this, they should buy the Boys baseball field a new score board so people can see it! The look and
295 condition of the whole field, dugouts etc. is dumpy! It's the first thing people see when they pull up. If this was the football
field, I'm sure it would have been done years ago.
It is unfortunate that most of the people that show up to the meetings are those who are opposed to the drug testing. Most
296 of the people I have talked to are for it. We need to be louder and not allow the select few opposed to be the determining
voice. I'm glad this survey came out.
As much as I am for the testing, I strongly believe that the testing should be expanded to selected students that may not be
in extracurricular activities or parking in the lot. I'm very concerned that you may be missing many of the suppliers to these
drugs. I know that the entire student body is not an option, but how about selected kids that you may have suspicion or just
cause to test? If you're going to take this step, it should be done to actually do some good. And if you really want to battle
the drug problem, you may want to get on all the teachers that turn a blind eye to what's going on under their noses in their
297 classes! You shouldn't limit yourselves to drug testing only. It might help but it won't do the job. I have to say that after
reading many of the remarks of other people in our community, I am SADLY disappointed in the ignorance that exists here.
It seems to me there are many parents that are probably aware their kids do drugs, and are more concerned about them
losing their scholarships or acceptance into college. Parents need to open there eyes and realize that the drugs in the
schools today are NOT the same drugs that were in THEIR high school. In my opinion, anyone who’s against it, is
condoning drug use.If your kid has nothing to hide, why oppose it?
I do not believe that there is anyone in the LZ School District who is qualified to do a random drug test on my student nor is
298 it the school's responsibility to do so. I also do not want my tax dollars to be spent on such a program when I do not believe
that we have a big drug problem in our district.
299
You are over stepping my rights as a parent. And every time a student receives a prescription for drugs, I will have to keep
all copies or receive a doctor's note that he/she has received the prescription. It is none of your business!!!!!!!
300 Instead of targeting certain students - maybe drug sniffing dogs to get the drugs out of the school
I do not believe the board has shown the community that there is evidence that there is a need to warrant testing. I find it
odd that many of the inactive kids who may need to be tested will not be tested. I have researched the topic and found that
301 random drug testing does not have positive results at other school districts. I question if this is really confidential. I question
the cost of the testing. We pay huge fees to have our kids be in activities, how about lowering those fees and getting rid of
the cost you are proposing here. I am firmly against random drug testing at District 95.
302 I have had many random drug tests during my career. It's easy: don't do drugs and you'll have no issues!
303
Having had 3 older children go through LZHS I have seen students get caught using drugs/alcohol and the consequences
haven't been the same for some. If a student is a "STAR" athlete that gets caught the school goes around the
consequences versus those that aren't a "STAR". It will continue to happen over and over until the school puts those
"STARS" to the same consequences as those that are not.
304
I do believe Lake Zurich has a drug presence. It is very similar in demographics to Plano, TX. The community does not
have to be in the inner city to be dealing with a drug problem. I am glad it is being addressed.
305
In an age where drug use is common among professional athletes, with a number of high profile cases, I think it is good to
send a message to our children that this is intolerable - in anyone, at any point in their life. The only folks who should be
worried about this policy, obviously have reason to be. Furthermore, I think far too many parents exist in denial regarding
the extent of the drug problem in schools today. Time to wake up!
Initially, I was in support of this. However, upon learning that only students that participate in extra curricular/parking
activities, I felt that they were being singled out and discriminated against. If it cannot be open to the entire student body,
306 then forget it--it becomes the parents responsibility. If the court ruled that it cannot apply to the entire school, you cannot
single out students that participate in activities.That to me is a clear case of discrimination; treating a certain group different
from the rest. Thank You.
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: ...
307
Page 20 of 43
I have heard of other districts "random" drug testing the kids they know don't do drugs. while this makes their numbers look
good it may not be an accurate account of the student body.
308 Spend your limited resources on educational matters. Leave the parenting to the parents.
309 If you can't abide by the rules, you don't play. Period.
There are a number of reasons that I oppose drug testing at Lake Zurich High School including: 1. Random Drug Testing is
discriminatory. Test everyone or no one, including teachers, coaches, staff and Board Members. 2. Absent probable Cause,
random testing makes a good case for “illegal search and seizure.” I realize that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that it is
legal to test students involved in extracurricular activities. However, just because you can doesn’t mean you should. The
government’s argument here is that because the students participate voluntarily in extracurricular activities they have the
right to “opt out” of drug testing by not participating. However, this interpretation of the law does not allow the student to
stand against the deterioration of their civil rights against illegal search and seizure, by opting out of the testing policy, while
remaining in the extracurricular program. I believe that this could be considered coercion by the district. Are we really willing
to relinquish our children’s rights against illegal search and seizure by testing a student absent probable cause? I strongly
believe that when the high court was considering this new interpretation of the law, they were aiming at trying to illuminate
the use of steroids in competitive sports which might give an athlete an edge in competition. I question the district’s
interpretation of the ruling to apply the law in this respect and circumvent the authority of parents over their own children’s
behavior. 3. Testing of a student by a coach, teacher, school administrator, school nurse or other authority opens the door
for misuse, abuse or other coercive behavior on the part of the Administrator of the test. The student is put in a humiliating
310
and submissive position and unable to defend him or herself against undue, unwanted and inappropriate behavior. There
has been a history of this kind of behavior in the district in the not too distant past. 4. Who decides what drugs will be
chosen for testing? Will they test for steroids, methamphetamines, marijuana, over the counter medications, prescribed
medications, ecstasy, and alcohol? How will the tests be monitored and modified to suit the changing climate of designer
drug consumption among the student population. There is a lot of room for judgment which leaves room for error. 5. It is an
unnecessary expense and leaves the district open to lawsuits. 6. Drug use in the student population is a matter for parents,
doctors and mental health professionals, not educators. The district’s job is to educate the student, not parent them.
Parents already have the ability to test their children if they choose to. 7. Drug tests are generally unreliable. There is a high
incidence of false positive results with the hair strand tests and subsequent urine testing opens the door for a myriad of
other issues (refer to # 3.) There are a number of ways the tests can be compromised, not the least of which is a mix up in
sampling, intentional switching of urine or hair samples to protect a star athlete just before playoffs, etc. 8. Random drug
testing will create an environment of mistrust, fear, and humiliation within the student population, alienating the students
from the faculty and staff. Trust is given until trust is broken, and often, once broken, cannot be repaired. This is not the
environment I want our school district to create for our students. How about you? 9. Breaches of security sy
I think children will think twice if there is a chance they will be caught. Some children won't care, but some will, Even if it
311 helps one child I feel it is worth it. Some children have peer pressure and don't have an excuse to give to get out of a bad
situation, they can use this as an "excuse".
Drug testing is not the responsibility of the school. You are encouraging behavior counter productive to learning and safety.
Children that do not want to be hauled out of class for random drug testing will not participate in sports or drive to school. If
there is a need to drive to school you are encouraging drivers to park at places other than the school parking lot. Walking
along Church Street is dangerous and that is the behavior you will be encouraging. The school has shown over and over
that it can not keep information confidential. How many times has it released special needs lists to an entire population and
312
then sent an email asking us to ignore it? At least once a year. What makes the drug testing any more confidential. You are
hitting an easy target. The courts have ruled that you cannot test the entire school body so you will test what you can. Test
the teachers, the administrators, and the board and pull them out of classes in front of the children or out of their jobs in
front of thier peers in the middle of presentations, projects, or meetings. How disruptive. This proposal is absurd. Spend our
money on something more useful to the school.
I might consider changing my position if there was actual data to prove a drug problem in our schools. Also, I worked at a
313 company where drug testing was instituted then dropped a few years later as it wasn't effective. What would make it any
different at our high school?
314 Only concern is who would be paying for the drug testing?
315 We do not seem to have a drug problem at our school and therefore I do not see spending money on it.
316
The school district should not be attempting to monitor students activities while outside of school. Plus, I don't think that
drug use is a prevalent problem that it would require such a drastic measure. If a student shows signs of impairment at
school or school related activities, I think it should be treated as a behavior issue and parents should be consulted for
consequences/treatment.
317 I strongly encourage you to not waiver from your dedication to the well being of our students.
Plano HS tests their entire school body. I am very much against selective testing, while I could be agreeable to testing the
entire body. Plano has done 103 tests of the entire school body at a cost of $38 test and has resulted in 11 positives. If the
school board decides to go ahead an be selective in its testing, I feel strongly that the outcome will be negative in the
318 school and the community and will be very costly in trying to defend the process in the end. Either test everyone or put the
effort to doing more education and assistance to the parents who should be dealing with these issues. Selective testing is a
really bad idea! What is the end goal and how will it be measured? What is failure and what is success? Your survey is
flawed, should also ask whether in favor of testing the entire body.
It is neither the schools responsibility nor right to impose random drug testing. This is a parental responsibility; the school is
319 overstepping its boundaries. If a student uses drugs or has a drug problem it is a family issue, and families should be
allowed to deal with it privately. To enforce random drug testing in a school situation is an invasion of an individual’s
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: ...
Page 21 of 43
privacy; now even innocent students will have something to fear; the loss of dignity and the violation of their privacy that a
drug test will cause. Not to mention the gossip and innuendo a tested student will face, because keeping test subjects
random is impossible in a school community. The School District is essentially telling students that they are all suspected of
drug use and are guilty until they can prove themselves innocent. Is this really the message District 95 is trying to send to
its students and their parents? How does the board expect innocent students to feel about being subject to random testing,
especially if there is no suspicion of drug use, the loss of trust a student will feel should not be underestimated by the
school district and its staff. Another important factor is that legally the whole school community, students, and staff are not
to be tested only a group that participates in school activities, hardly fair, or a representation of the school community at
large. LZHS has a history of expecting the worst from students; this is another example of this heavy handed attitude.
Our constitutional rights are being evaded. If there are children taking drugs the school knows who they are and the school
320 should implement there process. Not hide behind random testing. We should not invoke fear in our children but promote a
positive healthy learning enviroment
321
The answer to question #2 is "all of the above, equally" plus the fact the group that can be legally tested is the least likely to
fail. Also, another school cited in a Tribune article spent +$17,000 per failure.
I am opposed to the "random" part of the testing. I believe that parents, teachers and administrators have a responsibility to
recognize and act upon suspicious behaviors of the students. If a student cuts classes, has red eyes, smells like alcohol or
drugs, or does other obvious "impaired" actions, he or should should absolutely be tested! Also, I don't think you'll stop the
322
major drug problem when only testing athletes and other club participants. Most "burnouts" don't join clubs or play sports!
You'll be missing a huge portion of the problem kids. This will only create more oosts (which we can't afford!) and new
problems, instead of adressing the real problem head on.
323 I feel that it is an invasion of privacy and it should be the parent's responsibility to make sure their children are drug free.
I feel that random drug testing will be very beneficial to those students that participate in athletics and extracurriculars that
324 put forth 100% effort and do not use drugs. This way all teamates will be held accountable for their actions and participation
and it is more of a fair playing ground to those that are not using drugs.
I do not agree with the hair testing vs. urine. Many students who do ivlove themseves with alcohol and or drugs are
involved in outside sports and or activites and do not feel this will have an impact on them. I do worry about the costs to the
325
distracit as their are so many areas the district is in need of funding, especially since the state is not paying us!!! The costs
outlined are not complete and until you role out all financial resposibility- I say no!
326
I am in support of random drug testing if the test itself is proven to be 100% accurate for usage (not second hand smoke or
ingesting something that may appear on a test). I don't believe a hair sample is fool proof.
I think that random drug testing is an excellent idea. I like the idea that it involves students in sports. Unfortunately, our
society is so competitive that parents and students take the competition to the extreme. Performance enhancing drugs are
327
pretty common among teenagers so they can excel in sports. Unfortunately, some parents allow this so their children can
be the best athletes. I feel that this is dishonest and can create harmful effects on children on several different levels.
328 I support the policy to randomly test for drugs as I believe it helps empower teens to make a responsible decision.
329
Why wouldn't we want drug testing? unless you think it is ok for your child to do drugs, it will do nothing but slow down drug
usage at the high school, it should be implemented
330 ANYTHING to remind kids to stay away from drugs in the first place!
The survey should enable more than one answer. The idea of testing our children, unwarranted, without parent notification,
and not a single demonstrated or explanation of ANY benefit is just WRONG ! the district will hardly acknowledge bullying,
331 especially when off site. Why on earth would they justify such reckless invasion of a person, especially a child's privacy and
parents right and responsibility to respond to their own child's issues. Poor use of time, money and an embarrassment to
our community. 4th & 5th amendment violations and still no proven benefit to our children, our schools, or the community.
Testing students for drug use goes way above and beyond the rights and responsibilities of the school district. Any parent
who has concerns can buy an inexpensive drug test at the pharmacy and test their own child at home. This is the job of the
parents, not the district. I understand that the supreme court has already ruled against random drug testing for ALL
332 students, so I understand why this idea is being proposed only for students with "privleges." However, these are the kids
who are involved in their school community and are least at risk for drug use. I would like to see us focusing our attention
on more important issues that relate directly to the school day, not to what is being done or not done outside the school
setting.
As a parent I can do my own testing in the privacy of our home. I feel that this will lead to another type of drug if they really
333 want it. Also, punishing the student from a sport, activity will lead to depression, isolation and perhaps more drug use. A
community service would be more effective.
Please continue your efforts. I believe it is the only objective way to prove within the community that a drug problem exists.I
have been amazed and appalled at the negative reaction by (seemingly) many parents. This testing is in the best interests
334
of all children. Data is data. It will prove/disprove the current rhetoric. Please move forward with your planned testing. Feel
free to contact me at any time335
I believe we have a drug abuse problem at LZ High. I understand that this is a complex issue and encourage you to look at
the data and make a decision based on the objective of reducing the impact of drug abuse on the student body.
336 This is not a responsiblity of the schools but for the family! Please do not waste my tax dollars and staffs time on this!!!!!
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: ...
Page 22 of 43
I have many concerns with this drug testing proposal. The children that have drug issues will not fall into the category to be
tested. Furthermore who is to believe the random drawing of names. Currently there is also a big drinking problem and
337 many of the athletes are engaging in drinking over the weekends. How and when will this be adddressed correctly. Again I
feel the parents of Lake Zurich should start taking action for their children and not the Lake Zurich High School unless of
course it occurrs on school grounds.
1. CLEARLY those who participate in afterschool activities by in large do NOT use or abuse drugs for obvious reasons. 2.
Poor academics usually require the student to lose their 'privilege' to participate in afterschool activities and that is the
deterrent both the student and his/her parent need only consider and not drug testing. 3. In my opinion, those who wish not
338 to participate in afterschool activities generally look to other ways to occupy their idle time which may lead to drug use. 4.
The school lacks authority to decide whats in the best interest of my child; If my child is disruptive or deemed a danger to
the school's general environment, the school may take alternative measures deemed appropriate. Its common sense. It
does not take a village to raise an American child living in District 95. NO DRUG TESTING!
Random drug testing is not a substitute for being aware of what your student/student body is up to. It is fairly evident given
behavior and attitutde that some students should be drug tested for cause. Hair testing is controversial, as it unfairly
penalizes students with long hair, and may not be indicative of what is happening at school. While illegal is illegal, is it the
339 school's responsibility to police what could be more than 4 years of time in one strand? Further, what are the penalties for a
positive hair test, but negative real time test? What school should be testing for is impairment at school. There should be a
cause and effect connection. There are so many legal issues connected with drug testing it seems excessive and
expensive to defend the trial case for random testing in the area.
This is an ill conceived idea. This type of fishing expedition will create more problems than it solves. Please don't forget
costs of treating the students that test positive and the possible lawsuits resulting from the false positive tests. There are so
340 many reasons NOT to do this and very FEW reasons to do it. This is not really about keeping the children safe but rather
about someone making money off of this boondoggle. I'd bet that, if implemented, the program won't run more than five
years.
I am highly opposed to the drug testing program - first I don't believe it's the schools responsibility to test.. Also my child is
on medication that my Dr. says that while it's not suppose to test positive, many times it does --I absolutely don't want my
student tested -- there is to much chance for error and then as I understand the proposed plan -- it's at our expense to
retest-- in the meantime they suffer the consequences... no way!! It's giving our school a bad name already -- if a student is
341
acting suspicious, smells of alcohol, pot etc... then appropriate measure should be taken according to the school guidelines
but testing randomly is completely an invasion of privacy .. and a waste of money -- As it is we pay alot of money for our
outside clubs and special education programs also have a lot to be desired in my opinion... perhaps they could use the
money more wisely in other areas.. Again strongly opposed!
I am an elementry student parent, but I am strongly opposed to drug testing in our school system for all the reasons listed in
question 2. Foremost, this is not the school's responsibility and I do not appreciate that our tax dollars being wasted in this
manner. In my opinion, if any one believes a student has a drug related issue, this must be presented and handeled by the
342 Parent/Guardian. If there is reason to believe the problem is not addressed, then school should have the right to temporarily
or permenately revoke all special privileges unless proven negative. With parent's consent, random drug test(s) may be
performed in order to reinstate student's privileges. Please do not implement random drug testing for any of our Lake Zurich
students and reconsider use of these funds for the intended educational purposes.
My family just moved to this area last year. We have met a lot of families in different areas that feed into the middle school
and high school. I was SHOCKED after speaking/getting to know some of these families. First, they are so incredibly nieve.
A lot of parents are not home or so uninvolved with their kids, they are completely unaware. Second, they are so "high and
mighty" and above everyone else that they think their child is not "experiementing" with drugs or alcohol. I am aware this is
343 a wealthier area, but so many of these parents that I have met just have their heads so high
that they
don't have a clue as to what their children are up to. I loved the comments from "those" parents that said... not my kid. But it
is exactly those kids! Thank you for the possibility of opening the eyes to these parents and making the kids accountable. I
would like to have that bit of reassurance knowing that my child is riding safely with his new friends and that the school is
helping us parents keep our children safe!
344
What is the surety of test results from an outside lab? Having worked in laboratory testing facilities, I know mistakes are
made or test results fabricated for a variety of reasons. What assurance is there that this will not occur?
345
I believe that this program should cover ALL students or NO students. I don't agree with how the school district has handled
this situation.
I am in favor of a process that includes all the children, i.e. drug seeking canines employed by the police dept inspecting the
346 school properties on a random basis. I do not believe the process proposed will have any impact on any individuals who
sincerely are taking/dealing drugs in the school. The intention is good, the process is not well thought out.
Why is the testing only be conducted on students who are involved in extracurricular activities? Isn't that signaling out the
347 kids? This is basically telling those kids who are known to be "potheads," to go have fun and smoke up because they can't
get busted. Doesn't seem very fair to the ones who are being subjected to the random testing!
348 Illegal and/or unprescribed drugs, mess up our kids brains. I can't believe any parent in their right mind would oppose this.
349
Random drug testing at the high school brings up so many issues and has the potential of costing so much more than
planned. For example, what is the course of treatment for the "positive" student and what if the parents choose to not have
their child go through treatment. What about all the other students that don't participate in extracurricular activities? What
about their drug use? Will it really encourage kids to stop using drugs or just stop playing sports and driving to school?
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: ...
350
Page 23 of 43
I do not like the idea of hair samples as the testing method. I would prefer urine testing (or a different method) be done
instead - and wouldn't that be cheaper?
Use that money to educate the teachers on how to handle the actual kids with major drug problems sitting in class if you
are concerned about making a difference. Those kids do not get involved in school activities, some of them don't even want
351 to be at school. Why target a group of students which are not the serious drug users. This responsibility lies with the
parents - your job is to educate not police. If parents at home don't get on the kids who do drugs, what do you think you are
going to accomplish if there is no follow up at home. Just wasting your time and money.
However unpopular this decision may be, it is is time to do the "right" thing. We have to be able to find means to help
protect our children. Most people who support the drug testing will probably not be showing up at the forums - only the
352
opposers will. So Pls take that into consideration and let's get this over with. we all have to face the consequences of our
actions and kids who take drugs will have to as well. Might as well do it sooner than later. Enough talk, let's see the walk!
Although I checked "Not In Favor of Testing",I would not mind it if the consequences were handled differently. I DO NOT
agree with suspending the student at all from activites unless they do not agree to do any counseling with the SAP coord. I
believe that if they test positive, they HAVE to meet and have a plan to help the student along with parental help. If the
student refuses or fails a 2nd test, then they would have to be off for 25-50% of the season. I think our kids would suffer
such negative feelings and embarassement if they just got kicked off of a team. We need to work with them while they are
353
still doing a sport or activity that they love....not publicly humiliate them, which is what would happen. Everyone will know
why a student is not on a team all of a sudden..at least they would have a chance to redeem themselves without eveyone
knowing that they have a problem.. Give them a chance, work with them..if they do not pass a second test, then there will
be concequences. Please re-look at your proposal. Also, this survey was not accurate. We should have been able to
answer more than one answer in some of the questions.
If you can't randomly test the whole student body you have no business testing ANY of the student body...we are NOT a
354 private school. How is this an effective deterrent if so many kids are not being tested? Waste of money...put it towards drug
prevention programs or towards something else that will benefit the entire school.
We don't need this! There is no significant drug problem that requires this testing. Alcohol is the substance being abused.
Drug testing is a waste of money that could be used to purchase more computers or fund activities. It is unbelievable that
355
you would force kids to miss class time to take a drug test. Kids who test positive will only be stigmatized and kept from
activities that offer an alternative to drugs. Please focus on educating students and stay out of parenting!
356
I feel there are better ways for the district to use their time and resources than to test students for drug use. Unless there is
probable cause, it is not the district's responsibility drug test , anstudents. Let parents do their job!
357
I am against it because I believe it is unfair unless it applies to the entire student body. I believe being active in clubs and
sports is already a deterrent
358 This is an infringment on civil rights.
I do not believe that it is the School Districts responsibility. A club may help a student in need and they may choose not to
join because of this random testing. They want to join a club to keep busy and feel part of a group but are afraid to because
they may have drugs still in their system from months ago. joining that club may help them to feel good about themselves
and deter them form trying drugs again. I am also concerned about confidentialty becasue there is none within the High
School. I have a student who has some issues and needed to attend an alternative High School. There was NO
359 confidentiality there by any means. All of her teachers and the secretaries knew her issues. I was in the counselors main
office, picking up her books and my student's counselor saw me. He proceeded to ask me personal questions about my
student in front of other students and staff. How wrong is that. Like I said, NO confidentialty!!!! This is a huge concern for
me. I frankly cannot wait until both of my children are out of this High School!! I feel that the School Board should NOT do
random drug testing, it is not their business. If a student shows just cause and is blantenly on drugs then they should call
their parents and they should decide what is best for the student whether that student is in a club or not.
360 You have no right.
I am not for kids doing drugs, but I don't feel it's the school's job to do the parent's job. The students that are involved in
activities are not the students that the school should be as worried about. If the school suspects ANY student is on drugs at
school or has drugs with them, they should notify the parents and the authorities of this issue. Schools are not parents.
361
Schools are not police. Nor should they try to be. This money could be used for other positve things. Such as materials to
better educate the students on drug abuse. If the board decides to administer random drug tests they are crossing the line.
I hope the board listens to the community on this issue.
362
I just want to say, I thank you for your hard work on this issue. I was outraged at the way the parents behaved at the open
forum you held. I didn't feel those of us who are for it had a voice. But you ALL handled yourselves very well. Thanks
363 why not test the teachers and staff, too
I was stunned to learn of a high school sophomore who just died from a heroin overdose at Vernon Hills High School. While
364 it can be no guarantee, at least it will send the signal that it is a serious issue. . . to help young people stay on a focused
course with their life. . .
365
This may help some students make better decisions when faced with temptations and peer pressure. If it forces the
students to think about possibe consequences of their actions, then random drug testing is justified.
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: ...
Page 24 of 43
I think the kids you need to reach aren't the ones that smoked pot once or twice. To throw the book at someone who may
366 have tried it once is a little severe and will lead to more problems when they are excluded from everything...leading to
possible worse situations. I think it the parents responsibility NOT the schools!
367
I feel it should be all students or nothing. Typically the students not in school activities are the ones with more time on their
hands and the ones causeing the most trouble.
368
If the school has reason to believe that a student is using drugs than the school should contact the parents to discuss the
issue.
369
I would not be thrilled to have my tax dollars used for this. However, I don't understand the opposition to this for other
reasons. If your kid is not on drugs, no worries. If your kid is on drugs, wouldn't you want to know? And, if your kid has been
on drugs in the past, wouldn't you want them to know that LZHS has zero tolerance for that? There are consequences for
using drugs as an adult, shouldn't there be tough consequences to our youth to encourage them to be drug free?
370
Only behavior directly related to attendance at the school should result in discipline from the school. Outside behaviors
should be the sole responsibility of the parent.
Q #2 - also C, E, AND F. ENOUGH OF THIS - LET'S GET BACK TO WHAT DIST. 95 IS ALL ABOUT - EXCELLENT
371 STAFF, GREAT KIDS, A GOOD EDUCATION, TEACHING THE KIDS RIGHT FROM WRONG AND GETTING THEM
READY FOR COLLEGE AND BEYOND.
372 my concern is the fact that not all students would be subject to the testing.
1. It's not clear to me what is not being tested for. I would like it clearly stated what specific drugs are being tested for and
what is not. For example, is alcohol part of this program? Right now the language is too vague ... 2. While I understand the
legalities, good kids who are motivated to participate in activities are the least likely to be caught up in illegal drug use. If
373
you believe the school has a drug problem, I don't know how selectively testing those in activities makes the school overall
a better place. 3. I don't understand what happens when a hair test is positive and then a follow-up urine test is done. What
happens if there are conflicting results? Say the hair test is positive but urine is negative? Is that still a positive test?
374
I would be in favor of random drug testing for all students because I believe kids at this age need as many deterrents as
possible.
As for question 2 - I am opposed for more than one of the reasons listed. You forgot an "all of the above" option. I'm
375 disgusted at the school board for considering such a needless action. Use that money for education programs to keep kids
off of drugs in the first place. Or is that too logical for our school board?
I am NOT if favor of the random testing. It is the parents responsibility and I do not understand why government (in this
case the school board) feels as if they have this right. I am against drugs and in the unfortunate case I suspect my kids are
doing drugs I will intervene and test/seek treatment on my own. My house is my government and I don't need anyone else
376
stepping in! Enough is enough. And on top of it, I think you are not modeling the cost of the legal bills the District will likely
incur having to defend what I imagine will be numerous lawsuits. It is our money paying the bills (at least the majority).
Spend it on other worthwhile causes that we are paying our schools for (ie. Fine Arts, Clubs, etc). Thank You.
377
The random testing will never be random without a third party in charge of the whole process. Any use of district employees
would result in a conflict of interest. It is also irresponsible to use school funds for this matter in this economy.
378
Concentrate on Educating the children. If you suspect illegal use of substances are occurring on school grounds, notify the
Police, just as you would for any other criminal activity.
You do not give us the answer options that we are looking for. I am primarily opposed to random drug testing because it will
379 be done on such a small group of ahtletes, drivers, club memebers. It is not fair to only test the small %%. I belive until eth
State allows all children, teachers and bus drivers to be tested, then it isn't a valid test.
This survey is inadequate. First of all I have 4 children in the LZ95 school system which I couldn't properly answer on this
survey. I am opposed to random drug testing because I do not believe it is the school’s responsibility to perform this test. If
380 the HS proposed drug testing, all children should be tested. Children that tested positive should not be excluded from their
sport/activity because I don't believe this is the proper punishment. The student is in need of help from both parent and
school.
Statistics provided in a report by the LZ police advised that drug related issues with students has decreased over the past
few years therefore negating this cause. The simple fact that only certain groups of students will be eligible for testing is
wholly discriminatory in nature. ESPECIALLY those groups that are spending their time involving themselves in extra
activities as opposed to having too much time on their hands which meets with temptation. Yes, the Supreme Court ruled in
381
favor of this type of testing but the decision was far from unanimous. The ruling was 5-4 in favor which proves that even
over 40% of the highest authority is opposed to this issue. The school district needs to understand that many parents in the
LZ community are strongly and vehemently opposed to this. Everything that our children do relating to school activities
requires our signature and approval. How can this not include taking parts of their body?
382 I do think ALL the sdtudent body and staff members whould be included in this random test. However it is a good start.
383
I believe this to be an invasion of privacy and an unfair singling out of certain students (those in athletics and extracurricular
activities, as opposed to the entire student body)
384 In #2 I am strongly opposed to random drug testing for both A and E.
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: ...
Page 25 of 43
Question #2 should of had one other choice letter h) all of the above What is the reliability rating of this test? How many
385 times will the results come back with a positive reading because the sample was not sterile or became tainted (just like
tests so commonly are in the doctors office) so that a student is wrongly accused?
386 I am in favor of random drug testing but am very interested to know all the little quirks
There are many reasons I oppose this plan. First and foremost is it's a violation of their civil rights and this is substantiated
by the courts. You are using a loophole of the "Privileged" kids in activities as a way around the courts. That should tell you
right there this is wrong. Second, this falls outside the responsibility of the school district and should be handled by the
student and family. Third it sends a message to our kids that we don't trust them to make the right decision and they are
387
guilty until proven innocent. Not a good message to send our youth. The school district is responsible for education -- since
when it is ok to conduct medical tests on our children? It's so wrong on so many levels. Please focus your efforts on more
drug education. You will never prevent all kids from trying drugs but through awareness and education you can have an
impact on reducing it.
If the purpose of this survey is to determine why people are opposed to the testing, it is poorly drafted as multiple option
388 and combinations of reasons for opposition likely exist for each respondent. That being said, spen the district's funds on
education, not a policy that is clearly flawed.
389
I have a major concern about the potential liability to the District under a number of scenarios, including financial liability
from law suits, or the potential suicidal potential of an impacted student. I feel that the Government (District 95 in this case)
should not be involved in this way. Further, I believe that if the Board feels this is necessary, that the testing standards
should be applied to Faculty and Staff involved in the same extra curricular programs.
390 We hear a lot of "chatter" here at the MS with regard to drug use. I think it is an excellent use of school funds.
391 Have they considered testing the teachers too?
While I am very aware of this topic, I will readily admit that I have not participated in any of the open forums yet. My main
concern involves the question of, "Why?" and of whether or not there is sufficient reason to do this. I also disagree with the
choices given above under #2. You should have also included some of the reasons that you included in #3. Part of the
reason I am opposed it is that I don't think drug testing will be an effective deterrent and I don't know that you will be
reaching enough of the problem by just testing those involved in extracurricular activities and those with parking priviledges.
I understand that you cannot test all students but, because of that, I think you should not test any. I guess, in a nutshell, I
392
can't justify the need for it and I don't think you can either. Do you have any statistics as to how many students are using
illegal drugs? If yes, how many are involved in extracurricular activities and/or have parking priviledges? And, has this
proven to be an effective deterrent at other institutions where it's been implemented? AND, in other schools where it has
been implemented, has the policy provided a safer and healthier environment for students than prior to having the policy? I
think those statistics will help parents/others in the community decide whether or not our tax dollars (even if it isn't much for
now) could be put to better use.
393
I appluad the board for looking into a very sensitive topic. Thanks for your committment to look at all of these issues and the
way that you go about making an informed educated decision.
I am opposed to random drug testing for ALL of the reasons noted in Number 2. In addition, I am disappointed the District
394 chose to not form a committee to address this concern. It is my hope the Board will harness all the energy this proposal has
created in our community and turn it into something positive for ALL.
395 The earlier you can address the use of drugs hopefully the better.
This should be something required by parents through their doctor just like an eye exam or dental exam. By doing this
396 testing randomly in school it is just taking away one more responsibility of these parents who pay no attention to their
children.
Please do not implement this program. I am anti-drug, but this will drag the school into a situation where they do not belong.
Booting someone off of a privilege will not keep the other students safer and could end up hurting good children, when/if
those students with a drug problem decide to retaliate. There are major confidentiality issues with this and unfortunately,
teachers "talk" and so do peers. The proposed collection process will be humiliating to most students. If a student is found
with a drug problem, there would need to be on-going counseling/guidance, not just a person to re-test them and track
results. Otherwise, you are not truly helping the child, you are only alienating them further. I do not feel the school has the
397
resources to test & then bring a child full circle & back to a healthy lifestyle. Instead, please provide education (including on
drug issues) to children and parents. Continue to reach out to the Ela coalition on drugs and to the police department when
you have probable cause/suspicion. Start a real dialogue with the student body, I can guarantee that they know who does
and does not do drugs. Provide an anonymous program where a parent can reach out to the school for
testing/resources/guidance if they suspect their child has a problem. But please do not march our children down the
hallways to take a test that may not even be accurate. There has to be a better way.
Five questions hardly constitutes an objective survey. If truly committed to drug prevention, adopt a program that covers all
students! You can test all the “privileged” students and a non-privileged student overdoses, the random testing policy has
failed. Get students involved in defining the issues and finding a solution. Drug prevention education should be an open,
398 cooperative approach providing students with opportunities to engage in relevant, honest, non-threatening dialogue. By
incorporating the students’ voice there can be a more realistic understanding of what the student’s current attitudes and
mindset are towards drug use. Everyone is affected by drug use and everyone must be involved and benefit from proper,
lasting, transformative education. A truly effective program should educate and empower ALL students. Here is a pivotal
opportunity to develop a comprehensive program for all students that could serve as a model for other schools. Random
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: ...
Page 26 of 43
drug testing of a select group does not accomplish this nor does it address or solve the problem. Do not pass this policy
and let's all think of a better way to help ALL students.
399
Our money should be spent educating our children--more computers, educational materials, etc. It should not be assumed
that kids are doing drugs. Let parents go buy their own drug test if they feel their child is taking drugs.
I do not believe in random drug testing because the ENTIRE student body is not subject to testing. To single out students,
that by most measures, are performing extracurricular activities (sports, band, orchestra, poms, theatre, etc.) and are the
potential leaders, strikes against the grain of where a drug use problem may reside. Assuming that it's not taking place on
400
the fields or in the school, and during training, then one should look at students that may NOT participate and have NO
expressed interest. It is unfair, unjust, and should NOT be implemented unless the ENTIRE student body is participative.
Thank you.
401
I don't feel the school should be testing. It will be like a "witch hunt", a false positive could be devastating. If a student really
has a drug problem, all they have to do is avoid clubs, sports, and parking passes. I don't think it will produce a measurable
success to warrant the cost. I think preventive programs, speakers would be a better idea. Data out there does not support
such a program.
402
Do not rush this through. It deserves more public debate and research. Although we know there are high school students
who use drugs in Lake Zurich, this is not the most effective means to find them.
403
Students doing drugs and alcohol will tak the risk that they might NOT be randomly checked and continue their behavior.
This is a private family issue to resolve, not theschool's.
There is a drug problem in the community. I've seen it firsthand.The problem with the testing is that it doesn't allow for
testing of the entire student body.I know my student doesn't do drugs but to subject them to a random test would be
upsetting and I doubt the district would be able to pull it off with confidentiality. I also do not have confidence in the current
404
sap coordinator.This is based on mishandling of a previous situation one of my children was involved with. The ability of the
district to not make a mistake in the sample taking is also a concern.Overall my confidence in the district to properly handle
random drug testing is zero. Don't do it.
405
I am in favor of drug testing to deter drug use, to help those that need assistance find help, and I believe that those the
drive to school and represent our school through extra activities should be drug and alcohol free. they all should be and the
reality is that when they go look for a job they most likely will be drug tested at that time too. It is a fact of life to be drug
tested! They should learn that very critical reality and not be sheltered into thinking otherwise.
406 Unless random drug testing could be done on any/all students, I don't think it is right to do it on any of the students.
I do not believe random drug testing belongs in the school environment. As a parent I am responsible for the health of my
407 children, not educators. At risk children who may not have strong family support need strong social workers to assist with
issues. That is where the funds should be spent not on random drug tests.
408
Our household is split on this issue. It would be helpful to hear from the school board (1) why they think this testing would
be helpful to students and parents; and (2) a response to issues raised by parents.
409
School should be a place for learning. If a school official thinks a student might have a drug problem they should notify the
parent. The money would be better spent on the people who are selling the drugs.
I say, put the fear into all of them. Let all the students think that at any time they could be tested. Most of the students
410 involved in activities after school don't have time for that non cents. By threatening to test only this group of students, you'll
be missing your target group.
411
I am not in favor of drug testing. I don't believe it is the responsibilty of the school. It is my job as a parent. Why isn't there
testing of staff?
I am in favor of random drug testing. I appreciate the time and effort the Board of Education has spent discussing this issue
and in drafting the policy. While I am in favor of random drug testing, I do not think the policy is completely flushed out. I
would appreciate the Board of Education's consideration for adding a process that would allow parents to (within 48 hours
for example) get a drug test completed by a 3rd party to ensure that a positive test was truly positive. Before consequences
are implemented, parents should have the ability to confirm a positive drug test. I also like the suggestion made at one of
412 the open forums to allow parents to opt their child into the random drug testing pool. I'm not sure if this is legal however. Not
all children take part in school related activities and if the parents of these children would like to opt their children in, they
should have that option. Lastly, I do not think that coaches, etc. should have the ability to allow students to practice with
teams if they are on suspension. Suspension should mean taking away the privilege altogether, not only taking away
playing during an official game. Again, thank you for your consideration and the time you have taken in researching this
issue.
413 Do the right thing, Implement Random Drug Testing... NOW!
414
Ii feel that random tests will be done to students that are not on drugs. It will allow offenders to go free. The students who
are offenders will not be a part of after school activities. I do feel that parents need to take more responsibility for their kids
and be educated to look for and not ignore signs of drugs in their kids and their friends. It is a hard decision but I
understand why the board is looking for answers. I salute them for doing something to stem the tide of drugs in our schools.
415
I hope that the school board is forthcoming with the "truth" of the drug problem in our community and schools - there IS a
problem and it needs to be adressed.This will be a useful tool.
416 Randon drug testing should only be adopted if it applies to the entire student body, without exception. I am opposed to the
program as proposed because it is exclusive (doesn't apply to entire student body), the proposed method has flaws, the
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: ...
Page 27 of 43
school district doesn't have the funds to pay for it. This is low on the financial priority list in my mind. I am not willing to pay
a penny more in taxes to support this. I honestly don't see a need for this, especially as proposed. It is wasteful and will
cause more harm than good.
Children who have not taken drugs will not have anything to hide. Parent's who are suspicious will have a less
confrontational way to check if they are unsure if there is a problem. Parents who protest, are doing so, I believe,because
417
they are afraid of the truth, or are turning a blind eye, or worse, contributing to usage themselves. If you've done nothing
wrong, you have nothting to worry about.
I am very opposed to the drug testing for many reasons. 1)The student should not have to tell school staff if they are taking
medication that can alter the result. That is a violation of privacy. 2)Errors can also be made where wrong results are
provided (labs get mixed up, etc). 3)What if results are accidentally sent to the wrong parent. I once received the wrong
report card. Some one else probably received my students report card.This week I randomly received a copy of some
child's schedule. We don't know the child. Can you imagine if that was something private. A few years back we all received
418 via email the accommodations for all the high school students. 5)A few years ago a student was caught drinking alcohol in
the school yet was still able to tryout for a school team. Two football stars were caught driving with pot in their car and were
able to continue on track that year. Why spend more money when exceptions are always going to be made for some kids
and not others. If we have extra money we could use more "resource" teachers. So many kids are being denied help. Often
the kids that struggle develop drug problems. Giving them help with studies may increase their confidence and self esteem.
Thank you!
419 The key reason I agree with drug testing is that it puts my child in a safer environment.
My daughter who graduated in 2011 was heavily into drugs and bought drugs many times on the High school campus. We
420 eventually put her into drug re-hab and were very anxious sending her back to LZ High School knowing it was a haven for
buying drugs. She told us "you can buy any drug anytime at school " She made all her drug connections there.
421 I have just been in a detox where young adults admitted to beginning their heroin abuse in High School
422
I feel the money could be used for more drug education, such as the DARE program which was eliminated because of lack
of funds. I think the money could be used to serve more students. I also feel that the majority of the students in the testing
pool are not the offenders you need to reach. I also agree with the statement about the consequences not being
appropriate.
423
I do not believe that parents should be made to pay for random testing - not everyone can afford to do that, but I am not
against the testing.
424 We are strongly against the testing active kids only, false positives and should be a parents decision.
If random drug testing is instituted the district needs to insure collection and testing of samples is done with the highest
425 degree of accuracy and professionalism. I also hope ther is an emphasis on education and support to students and this is
not held as a punitive measure.
I have students at both the middle school and elementary school level. This drug testing seems to need more information.
What about false positives? Would the parent of a student be responsible for getting a second opinion? Or would one drug
test provide results that also might (falsely) provide consequences for an innocent student? How would this be presentend
to the students? I have daughters who will be actively involved in sports and activities throughout their school careers. I
426 wouldn't want them to feel self-conscious, singled-out or like they had done something wrong because they were chosen for
the testing. When would this testing be done? Would students be removed from an academic class for this purpose? I
would have a big problem with that. In addition, the cost seems prohibitive with the economy in such an upheaval. I think
that the only benefit would be to the testing company. LZ school board should use the tax payer funds to benefit the
students' education and to continue updating the buildings, technology and textbooks.
427 #3 makes no sense
I believe the Board of Education should focus on education issues. I haven't seen a compelling reason to venture into this
428 activity and certainly don't think that targeting this group of students is helpful. I'm particularly concerned that the board
would seek to implement an action that at least as of the last survey has such divided support.
As they become young adults and have choices to make, this may help them in making the right decisions and if they do
429 not they will learn that their our consequences for that. Also, why would a parent not want this information to help their child.
How does not knowing get your child help if they are using drugs?
430
While the "vocal minority" may say that we would be taking away "their ability to parent", I have seen great parents whose
children end up as abusers. We need to step up and help all parents in this fight.
431
We're concerned about lack of family privacy. If that can be worked out, I believe this will be an effective reason for our
children to just say no.
432
Testing of students that participate in extra curicular activities is punishment for these active motivated students. Testing
should be conducted on the unmotivated students not involved in these activities that have time on their hands to
experiment oin drugs. Why you would test model students and not those with lack of motivation to get involved in their
school is beyond comprehension!
433
Thank you for seeing the big picture. Education involves far more than books and lectures. Random drug testing occurs in
the work place. Things of value require discipline. We commend you!
434 I can't think of one logical reason why any parent would refuse drug testing for their child but the fear of realizing their child
already has a problem with drugs. The cost of the testing is a drop in the bucket compared to rehab! If random drug testing
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: ...
Page 28 of 43
would add another level of fear in my child or provide them with an excuse to offer their peers I would cut the hair sample
off and hand deliver it myself.
435
If the Board of Education decides to do random drug testing at the high school it would be a violation of a child's rights.
Making them feel like they are not to be trusted before they even start high school is not a healthy way to begin.
436
I am appalled that we are unable to support full faculty volume yet are willing to spend all this money on something a parent
should be responsible for.
437
I feel it will be a sad day for Lake Zurich High School if random drug testing is implemented. I am against it for several
reasons - cost, privacy issues, and collection methods. But most of all, random drug testing assumes that there is a large
drug problem and the process will some how help kids. I, however, do not feel that drug testing is the solution to the alleged
problem and will not lead to a "drug free" school.
438 Is there any way to change the policy from a punitive policy to a proactive policy for first time offenders?
I have been told by educators, and I have done my own research, to support the fact that students involved in activities are
439 in the lowest risk group to partake in drug use. Students who do not belong to clubs, sports or fine arts programs are at the
highest risk for drug use. Your proposal targets the wrong group!!!!
The stated reason for instituting random drug testing is to help parents identify when their child may have a drug problem.
Yet the consequences do not match. The students are punished, and their privacy violated because the punishments are
visible signs that no intelligent person could miss. I'm guessing that no one on the board has ever been part of random drug
440 testing. (As I once was because it was instituted at my place of work. It failed there, so I imagine it will fail here. The only
consequence was to inflict a demeaning experience on the whole work population.) I do not believe that this policy has my
child's best interest in mind. If that were actually the intent of the policy, then I would expect the code of conduct to reflect it.
And I would expect a hair only test.
We have children at the middle school and elementary school levels, but your survey won't allow me to indicate as such.
We are strongly opposed to random or suspicionless drug testing for a number of reasons, but again, the survey won't allow
for that response, so we chose other. First, if the district is considering implementing a program and asks the community's
opinion, it is the district's responsibility to inform the community about the issue so that we can make an informed decision.
Telling me to go look myself doesn't cut it. When we looked at the studies that you referenced, they indicated that random
drug testing is not an effective deterrent. Studies conducted or funded by the Department of Education, the National
Institutes of Health, the University of Michigan, Australia, and many more all find that random drug testing doesn't make
kids any less likely to do drugs. So, unless the question is included so that you can discard those positive responses, how
can you include 3a as a reason to be in favor of testing? Random drug testing eliminates our children's right to be free of
unreasonable searches and seizures without probable cause. "Random" is no substitute for having a reason to extract a
sample from a 14 year old child. When you teach a child, in school, that they have no right to privacy in their own body and
no fourth amendment rights, what rights will they protect as adults. By implementing this policy, you are eroding our
constitutional freedoms at their core, the belief systems we teach our children. Children will be pulled from their classrooms
441 to be tested. They will have no confidentiality. The board's procedures indicate that only the athletic director will be told, but
the coach will have discretion as to whether the athlete will be able to practice with the team, an clear breach of the child's
confidentiality as stated in the policy. Also, what equivalent discretion will a club sponsor have to allow limited participation
for those children? There is none identified in the policy. This means that within the 50% of the student body being targeted
for drug testing, another subset of children will be discriminated against as they only drive or participate in a club. There is a
database of proven drug-prevention programs maintained by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration called the National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices. Random drug testing is not
included in this database. Also, the proposed program doesn't test for alcohol, the drug most used by and accessible to
children. The message sent to the children at the high school will be to drop out of athletics and clubs or to drink alcohol as
a means to avoid a positive test result. This is a horrible idea. We should implement education and intervention programs
that are available to all of the children in the high school and also reach the children at the middle and elementary schools,
not a controversial testing program that serves as a threat, doesn't act as a deterrent, targets half of the population of the
high school, and will likely result in significant litigation costs coming out of the general fund. Spend the money educating
our children.
The population your're selecting are from a pool of students who participate in extra-curricular activities. If you were going
442 to select from the whole student body, I would be more inclined to support random drug testing. For the record, I am in the
military and am subject to random drug testing where the pool is 100% of the assigned personnel of my unit.
443 i am concerned about confidentiality issues also
444 where is the funding coming from?
I have read that false positives are not uncommon. I feel that once that were to happen, the child's reputation is scarred. I
feel their punishment for a positive result is isolating rather than therapeutic. I also feel other programs could be
445 implemented to thwart drug use. Instead of using the money for drug testing it could be used for bringing back the D.A.R.E.
Program to our schools. We can teach them why NOT to do drugs, including alcohol which would not show on any drug
testing.
446
I guess I am still hung up on the idea that it is only kids in sports or clubs or parking that can be tested. I think it should be
anyone in the school can be tested if it is going to be done. The kids that want to drugs will just stay out of sports to keep
there style and if someone in sports is kicked out because of a positive test, it will bring them to the other side of probably
continuing to use drugs and possibly in a greater amount since they do not have the sports to keep them busy.
447
It is not the districts responsibility to monitor our children's lives outside of school, that's our job. This system will only cause
more problems than it will solve.
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: ...
Page 29 of 43
If my child is doing drugs off of the school's campus then it is my responsibility as a parent to deal with the issue. Unless a
448 student directly uses drugs on school grounds, then it is not a matter that the school has jurisdiction over.In essence it is
not the school's job to police activities that students partake in outside of school boundaries.
I am in favor of drug testing for students who exhibit behavior that is consistent with drug use or there is sufficient evidence
to believe the student is under the influence of drugs. I believe that these matters should be handled by the police
department and not the school. I think testing students who have never exhibited these behaviors could be very traumatic.
Drug testing randomly goes against the basic principle of innocent until proven guilty. By testing innocent students you are
implying that they are guilty and must prove their innocence. I do not think that random drug testing will deter any student
449
who has decided to use drugs. There is no evidence to suggest that random drug testing will help the drug problem in our
school district. Stronger punishments for the students who have been caught with drugs or alcohol would be a better
deterrent than randomly testing a population that could essentially be 100% negative on all tests. That would not give you
the true picture of what the student population is really doing because there will always be those who choose to do drugs.
The cost of these random tests could be put to better use in our school district.
450 Go for it!
451
It is also a waste of time and money of for the school district. The students that most likely need to be drug tested are not
involved in extra-curricular activities.
The ramifications of career options and other issues surrounding positive drug results really can affect a persons life
indefinitely. Children, especially adolescents, who are prone to making poor choices anyway, if they make a mistake,
should not have that affect their entire careers. It is not the school's place to test students for drugs. It is the parents place
to test their child. Please think about their futures. Testing them can result in their denial in the legal, political, and health
care careers forever!!!! I will test my child if I thought they were at risk. Any other medical procedure to a minor requires
parental consent. Why is laboratory testing any different? Why is it acceptable to randomly perform a medical procedure,
such as urine or hair testing on a minor without a parent's consent now considered OK. I will take this court if you perform
any testing to my minor child, on the grounds that it is a medical procedure, which it is, and it was performed without my
consent. In addition, the lack of procedures for the securing of the results is in violation of the Privacy Act for healthcare
452
information. Again, drug results are a healthcare record. Who gets the results? Who sees the results? If my child was found
positive hypothetically, as a minor who may have a drug problem, they would need medical attention, whether it was
counseling, or substance abuse care? This is a medical issue and also a legal one. Are you then obligated to notify legal
authorities? Now this minor has a record? Great, in this economy, try finding a job with that on your record. Most
Corporations do background checks. This is instant career death. This practice is not going to solve the problem. The
problem is to teach parents how to parent. I am so against this concept, for all the reasons that I just stated, that if in fact
my child is ask to take a test, I'll take this to court. I am a health care professional and I believe that drug abuse/use is a
psychological and health care related problem that has unfortunately, legal ramifications. The school has no right to deal
with this. Why not test for STD's as well while you at it.
453
You cannot use a random process unless ALL students are included. All students are suspect to using drugs not just kids
involved in extracurricula activities or have parking privileges.
454 If my son/daughter was tested, I, as a parent would want to know the results as soon as the district received them.
455 The district should offer voluntary drug testing so students can set an example for their peers.
It is time to recall members of the Board of Education. This group has taken their eye off the ball. After directly stating that
LZHS does NOT have a drug problem in the community meeting these people are still pursuing random drug testing. There
are real issues this board should be solving. Why the focus on a non-problem? Who benefits? Is there a board member
who has stock in a drug testing company? Leave parenting to the parents. The school's responsibility is to inform and
engage parents with any concern they have with a student. The school's responsibility is to educate students. You want to
turn student's off? Implement this policy. This policy will encourage kids to stay away from school activities. This policy will
456 encourage drug use or other bad behavior because kids will opt to not get involved - they will have more idle time on their
hands and will be MORE likely to get in trouble one way or another. I really question the judgement of the board members
for even suggesting a lopsided policy as has been proposed in this case. I question the judgement even further when
parents have expressed NO interest in pursuing this policy and yet the board is still pushing this agenda. I will hire an
attorney and I will fight for my student. I will not allow my child to be treated like an inmate when they go to a public school
that my taxes fund. Stop wasting time on this subject and go do something positive and helpful for the students. We need
NEW MEMBERS to replace this ridiculous board of education.
457
I sincerely hope that you do not implement this policy and take away student's rights especially those who are in
extracurricular activities. I am vehemently opposed to this and what it would mean for my kids going into high school.
I am opposed to random drug testing. Based on the existing schools performing random drug testing follow up papers are
inconclusive at best and at worse seem to cause higher drug usage in the mid to long term. The additional testing cost is
not really an issue as it’s a rounding error on the district annual budget. The amount of money required for the follow up
lawsuits very likely to come is a huge problem for the budget. With all of the lawyers lining up against the random drug
testing in LZ, it won’t be long before a suit comes against the district. Fighting off a gaggle of laywers isn't the end of the
world, if the action was worth defending as the "right thing to do." The evidence of false results due to testing limitations and
458 procedural mistake possibilities suggests we'll have a couple false positives in the first year of the random drug testing
should it be instituted and every year afterwards. I appreciate the need to continue to keep pushing drug use from the
school system. The students know it’s there and they know who is selling and to what extent who is using. It’s here no
doubt. However, based on what I could find and what data has been presented at the Board meetings / discussions I've
attended of late, the evidence for random drug testing seems to be very costly when all potential costs are considered and
ineffective at best. Let's keep looking and find a few programs that show promise and institute those at LZHS. Based on
initial data collected by the newly forming Ela Township Coalition Against Youth Substance Abuse and the Bi-Annual State
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: ...
Page 30 of 43
student / parent drug testing questionnaire, we seem to have a good starting point on some specifics. Specifics on where
the problem roots itself and ways to treat the problem; Treatment with some more promising results based on data. We
need a program not just based on a "need to do something." Finding a good solution maybe worth a year further research.
All this from a parent of two who initially agreed that testing sounding like a good thing on the original survey. Thank the
board for their efforts. Regards,
459 Don't beleive in testing unless it is obvious by student behavior to do so and so goes for staff and board
460 This is the parents responsibility not district 95.
This is clearly a violation of our constitutional rights. If the school is going to act “in loco parentis” and clearly violate a
student’s constitutional rights, the school better have one goal in mind, and the only acceptable goal would be: to educate.
Implementing Random Drug Testing does not educate in any way and is therefore not acceptable. Random Drug Testing is
not only violating the child's constitutional rights but also the parents' constitutional rights as well. A parents' right to govern
their own child should supersede the school's authority over such a matter. Our children are still free citizens of the United
States under the authority of their parents, whose rights as adult citizens are still protected by the constitution. And as long
as our rights continue to be chipped away by actions such as this, it will be increasingly difficult to maintain control over our
own lives as citizens of what still resembles a free country. If money is going into the school, how about actually spending it
on educating the students. If you want to randomly drug test any student then do it in a Private Institution – there is no place
for this in a public school. In a public school, especially one that does not have a drug problem, it is the parent's
responsibility to monitor any drug use that their child may be involved in, especially since the drug use is likely to be
occurring during times when the child is not in school. Such drug tests are not 100% accurate and will give false positives
461
due to things like lab error, paperwork error, hair color, etc. Also, there will be students who will have false positives due to
cross reactants from specific medications. Not only will these false positives be permanently on the child's record, it will
require further testing to either rule out or confirm the results. If a second test is indeed proved to be negative, will the initial
positive result be removed from the record - I think not. I can only imagine how a positive test result might harm a student
many years down the road as these records could likely become accessible to any non-school personnel. No matter how
hard you try to keep testing confidential, this will sadly not be the case. Also, I would not allow my child be tested without
being in my presence. As for the parents who are concerned about their child's possible involvement in drugs or would like
to attempt to "deter" their child from taking drugs, pay a visit to your local pharmacy where you can purchase an
inexpensive drug test that can be done in the privacy of your own home. But keep in mind that if you are attempting to use
drug testing as a deterrent, please do your homework first as there is no evidence that drug testing is an effective deterrent.
Please also be aware of the psychological ramifications in utilizing such a deterrent, drug testing will likely create trust
issues, among others.
I have a student in LZHS and a middle school student. Opposed for multiple reasons. Violates students 4th amendment
rights, HIPPA violation, uncontrolled consequences beyond the high school ( social stigma as well as police record,
insurance company records causing potential uninsurability for student in the future), bad indicator for potential home
462
buyers in LZ: they will see mandatory testing as a sign of major drug problem in the school and steer away from this area. A
pandora's box of trouble with potential for prolonged legal expenses. Budget money should go toward new educational
programs or funding existing ones instead of taking on a new opposed one. Big no vote from us!
463
I am all for the random drug testing because of what it has done to my brother who is now 30 years old and living at home
still with my older parents. I feel that if his high school had done the same thing years ago, he may not be in the situation
that he is in now...on methadone, not working, depressed etc. If we can stop these kids before it's too late, then maybe they
will have a better chance at a great future.
464
We know that drug use is prevalent in our schools and it is our responsibility as parents in connection with school officials to
attmept to address this trend using reasonable measures.
465 I am aware that Drugs are used at the high school. If we can help a few students, it is worth the effort and monetary costs.
466 a high school has no right to test. kindly back off and leave this to parents / families
467 Let's keep this a high school...not a police department. The district has NO business even considering this idea.
I am opposed for multiple reasons and just because the school board may choose to address or disregard my "most" strong
objection does not mean that any of my not-"most" objections can be ignored. It is not the school board's responsibility to
implement drug testing. I have always been proud that my children attended LZHS. I love that there is always something
going on at the high school. Now the school board is considering a policy that penalizes the kids for participating. Randon
drug testing is highly controversial and has not been proven to work or to be a long term deterrent. It is a policy which
bullies both the parents and students who choose to become involved in the school. The policy does not address
confidentiality at all. When a student is escorted out of class, everyone will know the student is taking the test. The results
of the test, either positive or negative, can be deduced by whether or not the student stops extra-curricular activities shortly
468 after the drug test. The coaches will have to be given a reason for why the student can not compete. And the student will be
questioned as to why they have suddenly dropped out. So, now the school board in their desire to "help" the student has
now branded the student a drug user and taken away the many hours that the student spends in a positive, adult lead
environment. If the school board and some parents are so interested in drug testing, please make the policy entirely
voluntary with no link to extra-curricular activities or parking and the parents who are interested can sign up their own kids.
Random drug testing without sufficient evidence that it is needed or that it is beneficial, targeted only at a select group of
students, and without studies and proof that it is the only or best approach for this school district and without buy in from the
parents will only serve to create a stressful, negative environment and to foster distrust between the parents and students
and the school board.
We do not feel the current approach is the first step the Board of Education should implement to detour drug use by the
469 student body. The district should draft a policy/procedure to ensure our child is learning in a drug free environment. In other
words, the district should aim to detour drugs from entering the campus (buildings and parking lots) by using drug detection
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: ...
Page 31 of 43
dogs and locker inspections. We as parents will continue to detour drugs from entering our child via education, guidance
and support. The district’s proactive approach to maintain a drug-free campus will assist us in our objective to maintain a
drug-free child.
I believe drug testing students without their parents' consent is a violation of civil liberties. If the school asked parents to
sign a consent form, that would take care of that issue. I also don't believe drug testing students is the school's moral or
470
financial responsibility--if the district has money to spare on the testing itself plus the salary of the person analyzing the
results, why not spend that money on something related to academics?
I am in favor of random drug testing if there was more information available, it could be used for all students and if the
process and open questions have been addressed completely and appropriately. At this time, I don't believe we are ready
471
to make a final decision until more information and process controls are understood. I also think there are many more
questions that could be asked in the survey to help you understand the community position.
472 nervous about false positives
473
I have a student at the high school and another at the middle school. If this is implemented-is there a budget for it?Or how
will it be paid for??
474 I also believe money that would be used for the cost of drug testing could be used in a more positive manner.
475
I do not think it is fair that you hold the kids who are doing extracurricular activities to a different standard. Just because
they choose to do clubs and sports, they have to be scrutinized? Shouldn't the whole student body be held to this standard?
If it's not "legal" for the whole student body, then you shouldn't do it at all. If this policy is adopted, maybe the parents, as a
whole, should take legal action to protect the rights of their children.
We live in the good old U S of A! What has happened to democracy?? I feel that we are living in a communist country! I
dont believe the students that have parking passes or doing extra curricular activities are the ones that you need to be
476
concerned with!! This sounds like DISCRIMINATION TO ME!!!!! Who is going to acquire the costs for this?? They are TOO
many unanswered questions/concerns to go thru with this! Think twice before doing this!
I'm in favor of random drug testing, random DUI road blocks, etc. If you have nothing to hide, then you should be in favor of
testing. As long as there is a fair appeals process if someone tests positive, then there should not be any issues. If
477 somebody doesn't like the hair test because they feel it's not accurate, then students/parents could volunteer blood
samples instead to reduce the chance of a false positive. If I was still in high school and participating in sports, that's what I
would want. Let's get it out in the open as much as possible...who's clean and who's not.
478
Drug testing should only be done with the prior permission of the parent and only if there are symptoms or signs that the
student is actually taking drugs. Random drug testing treats the student body as a whole as guilty until proven innocent.
My background is science. I do not like the scientific studies' results. Race, sex and even the color of hair come into play
479 and can have an adverse reaction. The District would be opening itself up to many lawsuits and ones that you would not
win. I definitely oppose the proposition of drug testing in the school.
480
I am generally opposed to the proposed policy precisely because it is NOT random. It is targeted only to a specific
population which is by definition not random.
Are you serious? We have a LONG list of supplies we have to buy, we have to pay registration fees, don't you think the
money is better spent on EDUCATION????????????????? If you have that much money to be throwing around then
481 reduce our registration fees or spend the money for supplies in the classroom so the teachers and students/parents don't
have to buy them. Don't we have something we need to upgrade? I'm sure there is a long list of items where the money
could be better spent.
482 I would rather see drug testing done on an individual basis, if student behaviors warrant it, with parent permission.
I have worked for companies that have implemented drug testing programs. The companies ultimately chose to terminate
483 the programs for a number of reasons, but ultimately because the cost of the programs did not result in the benefits that
had been expected.
I feel like this district is creating a atmosphere of mistrust among the students and parents. The school district is on a witch
484 hunt, trying to create problems for good kids. You are going to ruin kids reputations and their future and for what... Stick to
teaching and let the parents parent.
485
I am for drug testing on one side and opposed on the other side. My concern is the cost mostly to the community however,
feel it could help deter students from evening attempting taking drugs. many variables to consider.
My daughter transferred to LZHS from St. Viator a couple of years ago where this drug testing was required. I supported
486 the process at St. Victor and I support it at LZHS. Please stick to your convictions on this one and don't be intimidated. Lake
Zurich needs this!!!
487
I appreciate the Board's concern for my children. With all the negative emails being sent, I have to question the real motive
of some of the parents who oppose this.
I am opposed to the random drug testing in general, but specifically in this proposal, the plan would not be implemented
fairly across the student body. My experience is that many drug users will not necessarily be in sports or clubs in the first
488
place. This is an assumption, but based on personal experience. Therefore, there is an unfair burden placed on those
students who are in sports and clubs, trying to better themselves. I do not approve of this proposal.
489 Random drug testing will make Lake Zurich High School a safer place.
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: ...
Page 32 of 43
490 Even though it's supposed to be confidential I'm still concerned that the college my kids will go to might find out.
491 This is not an appropriate role for the school district to spend funds on. Use the money to educate rather than prosecute!
The Board has heard many, many good reasons not to move down the past of random drug testing and very little support
from the parent community. The Board MUST take this into consideration in their decision. It is, clearly, an unpopular topic
in SO many households! I don't believe that the District is set up to protect the information as required by law. HIPAA laws
MUST be followed. Students are not stupid... they clearly know when a fellow student is being tested. A positive result or a
false positive will be very visible. I doubt that the District is prepared for the liability that this invasion of privacy creates. You
are trying to protect the privacy in so many areas yet are missing the very visible action of a student being pulled from
class. This has happened to my son, and he was quite embarrassed by it because everyone knew where he was going and
why. At risk kids need the ability to participate in extra-curricular activities. Pulling them from those activities will only serve
492
to exacerbate their problems. I will say that violating the rights of my children will not be tolerated! I will bring legal action if
needed to protect their rights! SOLUTION: If you intend to move forward, then require a release from the family doctor
similar to the requirement for a release for immunizations. As a Board member for the Village of Hawthorn Woods, I know
the position that you are in. Transparency is absolutely required. Having already made up your mind is not acceptable.
Ignoring the public outcry is not acceptable. Doing what is right for the students, their families, and the community is an
absolute must. No matter how hard you try, there will be slip-ups and errors in the process within the schools. Legal
exposure is extremely high. While intentions are good hear, there are too many negatives to approach the problem of drugs
with random drug testing.
493 It would be great!!! to have a DRUG FREE school, I hope the school board agrees.
I do not think you can single out children in only certain areas for drug testing. This does not get at the main goal of
curtailing drug use in the entire student population and for some might actually be a disincentive for children to participate in
extracurricular activities. Likewise, the district can no way afford to defend lawsuits and other dispute management activities
494 that will certainly arise and be required in this scenario. It is the parents responsibility to police and parent children in
regards to drugs and behaviors associated with such and the schools job to educate and discipline students as needed
when they disrupt that educational process. Policing the possibility of misbehavior seems to be expanding the reach
beyond the actual scope of the school as well as the budget and resources of an already constrained situation.
If a student is acting responsibly then we should just accept that and not otherwise question it with a random drug test. If
495 they are not acting responsibly then of course they will have to accept the consequences. It would be the equivalent of the
police randomly taking hair and urine samples of teen drivers at road blocks.
you did not have enough money for extra activities.Different organizations had to fund them such as choir, bowling,
496 baseball. So how come now you have money to drug test. It is not the schools responsibility. If a child is acting like he his
on drugs maybe then.
497 Who pays for this drug testing?
My high school students tell me about kids that come to school drunk or high. They can tell by how they act and how they
smell they are nicer the influence of drugs. I do not understand why if the students know, the teachers don't know and if
they do know, why something isn't done about it. I hear stories about kids using drugs several times a week from kids. I
498 hear stories about drugs/alcohol being at dances and football games and it really concerns me to let my kids go to these
events. My kids know of kids who are selling drugs at the school. This environment concerns me greatly as a parent who
wants drug free kids. I also really liked the suggestion I heard at one of the meetings to bring drug sniffing dogs into the
schools to find drugs that way.
The survey does not allow us to enter multiple choices which is inaccurate. For example, I have students at both Middle
and Elementary levels. Regarding concerns I would have chosen a,b,c,and e. In general, I believe in education of the
issues more than randomly testing certain students and punishment. Also, taking the students out of activities will only
499
increase drug use. Lastly, from the stories I am hearing of current high school students the current policies are not being
upheld, especially for star athletes. Support the plans in place before adding more. Drugs and alcohol are issues for our
teenagers, I just do not believe this is the solution.
500
We will support random drug testing of students with privileges as soon as the teachers, their aides, administrators and
other school employees are randomly drug tested.
501
It's a parent's responsibility to monitor their children. The school should be there to support them, but not to step outside
their bounds.
502 My biggest concern are false positives and how prescription drugs test out.
503
Random drug testing should be across the entire student body, not just athletes or other extracurricular participants. I fear
more for students that are not involved with any school-related activities.
If the topic of drug testing is devisive within the community (both school and community at-large), then I think it is a policy
that should not go forward for approval. On the other hand, if there is overwhelming support for it in the community, then I
504
think a minority of people should not stop this policy. In most districts where random drug testing has been implemented,
there was either a strong documented need for it or there was a majority of community support for it.
I do not think this is going to change the problem of drug use in HS. Yes it would be a deterrent, but I know there are
505 users,dealers,abusers whatever you want to call them, that are NOT in the targeted testing groups. I am not saying kids in
sports,activities do not use drugs, but the percentage has got to be lower. Let the police and parents handle this issue.
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: ...
Page 33 of 43
506
If a parent opposes this, what are they hiding? Maybe they should be tested also! Please continue to use the drug sniffing
dog on school property.
507
I think that the money spent on the testing could be better spent on paying for the extra activities since the funding for these
activities has been cut over the years.
508 It is the parents job to ensure their children are drug free, not the schools.
509
I don't understand/agree with testing only athletes or those who have parking privledges. I don't understand why only those
two groups. Drug testing should be random for all, not random for a few.
What is the reason behind the testing? What is the expected outcome? What other schools in the area drug test and what
have been the results of their programs? Where will the money for testing come from? How will confidentiality be
510
maintained when students are pulled from class and priviledges revoked? What assistance will be given to students who
test positive? How will positive results impact college application process? Will law inforcement be notified?
511
I do not feel these tests will be effective against drug use therefore the cost is not justified. I also do not believe they will be
a deterrent.
512
I believe it is an invasion of privacy and due not believe it will be random enough to look like targeting. i also believe this will
not stop any problems. It will just make the kids that are doing drugs alot more cautious of when and where they are doing
them so they dont get caught. I also dont think the board will be as stern with positive results on the athletes as they would
be with average students that test positive.
I do not support drug testing in the school for many reasons. 1. Evidence does not support random drug testing to be an
effective deterrent to drug usage. 2. In an earlier meeting of the Board, parents were told that the primary substance abuse
problem in the school is alcohol abuse. Random drug testing does not address this primary problem. The school would be
better served to address this substance. 3. There are no funds available to cover the cost of the program. If funds were
available, I would consider drug testing to be a low priority over other spending options such as computers, teachers, etc.
513
Since the program is not widely considered to be an effective deterrent, drug testing is not a prudent use of the school’s
financial assets. Additionally, I am opposed to assessing a fee for club and sport participants to cover this cost. 4.
Procedurally, pulling a student from the classroom for the purpose of drug testing is an unnecessary distraction to the
student as well as fellow class members. 5. There does not appear to be a drug problem of a significant proportion to
warrant this type of intervention.
I am generally in favor of the random drug testing program, however, as currently drafted, I feel the punishment for the 1st
offense is too harsh. Taking away 50% of their athletic season is too harsh. What if the student participates in multiple
sports and made one stupid mistake? My concern is that taking away 50% of the participation is going to essentially drop
514 from their sport. These kids are involved already - why take away a healthy activity that can keep them away from drugs? I
think the first offense should be suspension from 3-5 games + a week of practice + treatment and a follow-up test. Don't
take everything away on the first offense. Make a statement with the first offense, but give the students a chance to stay
involved with their healthy participation in a sport.
515 Thanks for allowing parents with children in Elementary and Middle Schhols participate.
While I am in favor of drug testing for the students, I feel the proposed policy is too punitive. Consequences should
516 absolutely be part of a positive test, but what about rehabilitation? I feel the district should be responsible for rehabilitating
the students as well.
517
I am opposed becuase it is not random. The deterrent will not impact those not in sports or activities. The cost-benefit has
not been proven.
518 I think it is another step towards staying involved with our children's well being. We shouldn't be afraid to confront issues.
519
I feel the testing should randomly test everyone at the school. I feel it should only test for illegal substances. I feel only hair
samples should be used for the first test.
520 I already emailed my vehement objections in a seperate email.
I am strongly opposed to random drug testing for many reasons. (1) I do not believe it to be an effective deterrent.
Education of children AND their parents is much more effective, BEFORE substance abuse occurs. (2) It is a parent's
responsibility to raise their child to avoid illegal use of drugs. The school district can EDUCATE, but it is an invasion of a
parent's rights and a child's privacy to have testing performed by the school. (3) I understand that it is not legal to test the
entire student body. However, I am adamently opposed to adding another test for student athletes, who have chosen to
occupy their time in a healthy, constructive manner. The IHSA already conducts random testing of participants in an IHSA
program. In addition, our school has an extremely stringent drug and alcohol policy for student-athletes to the point that has
created a division in the student body. Many athletes are reluctant to attend any social event where some unknown person
521 may sneak in alcohol or drugs and thereby render any attendees guilty by association. (4) The method of testing proposed
does not test for recent drug use. (5) The method of testing proposed can make it appear as though a child was using
drugs simply because they were in the proximity of someone smoking an illegal substance. (8) I do not believe there exists
a large percentage of the student body using illegal drugs other than alcohol. The proposed method of testing does not test
for alcohol. (9) I have raised my children in an environment of trust, self-respect and open communication. While they may
slip up occasionally, it is my job as a parent to take their mistakes as teachable moments and help them to grow from the
experience. As a parent, I monitor their activities, their friendships, their behavior. They are open with me and we have a
mutual sense of trust. I RESENT that they would be subjected to random testing simply because other parents in the district
may not be doing their job. Don't make my kids pay for others mistakes. Institute community education and drug awareness
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: ...
Page 34 of 43
programs with the money. It will be more effective than random drug testing of the kids that spend their time involved in
school activities and their community.
Questions #4. The survey needs to allow more than one answer. I have two other children at LZ elementary schools. This is
beyond ridiculous. Until you have a test to measure the hair for past alcohol use (which is the BIGGEST problem with
teenagers,)this will only cause kids to drink more alcohol. I won't allow my kids to take your tests. I will file a lawsuit and this
522 take money away from the students since you will need to hire a lawyer. In addition, I'm tired of the right wing conservative
agenda being pushed by this school board. First, it's proposing the teaching of "Creationism" in school, now it's random
drug testing for kids who want to get involved in school activities and sports. I blame the school board because I've been to
the meetings. The only normal one is the president.
Penalty of suspension from team/organization , especially for first time offenders, may be counter productive. First, students
with drug problem might choose not to get involved in school activities in order to avoid testing. Second, isolating students
that tested positive may only increase their drug use. Don't take away what may be their only outlet or safe haven. Instead,
523
make counseling and follow up testing mandatory while letting the parents handle disciplinary action. However, multiple
positive test results should result in harsher punitive action, including suspension from teams/organizations, since unbridled
drug use is like a cancer in the school. Be firm, yet empathetic.
524
We are strongly opposed to the drug testing. We wanted to list all reasons in question two but the survey did not allow for
more than one choice.
I think that the students you are choosing to be drug tested are not the only students at risk for taking drugs. If you were to
choose to randomly test the entire student body I would be strongly in favor of random drug tests since ANY teenager is at
risk of getting caught up in drugs. Some of those who may need the most help may already feel they are over-looked and
525
invisible and by choosing to only test those considered "involved" only emphasizes that perceived reality. Choosing not to
have the option to test the entire student body is a ridiculously preposterous and neglectful decision. It is for this reason that
I will NOT vote to have random drug tests only for students who drive and are involved in extra-curricular activities.
526 Has there been a increase in drug incidents that warrant this drug testing procedure to be brought forward.
This does not seem fair to the children as it does not appear to provide privacy for them in school or for their records. If
527 there is a false positive it could be devastating and destroy a child. We are still afforded some freedoms and I feel they
should be applied to the children as well.
528 Alcohol is the most widely abused drug at LZHS! This drug testing does nothing to address the real problem.
529
1) This is a parental responsibility. 2) I do not see the a plan to address the issues brought up by a positive
test....understand the punative punishment, but where is the plan to deal with the underlying issue that the child is having.
These extracurricular activities are things the kids need....if you take that away from them without giving them assistance in
cleaning up their act, then they will drift from school and most probably continue down the road they were on.
530 Please don't let the loud minority sway you!!!
531 Stop wasting time and money on drug testing. Concentrate on improving the LZ95 school test scores.
I have been in the medical field for 20 years and I am greatly concernd about the number of false positives and I do not feel
532 you have good policy in place if tests come back positive before automatically accusing a child. This does happen often and
many medications can cause these tests to be positive.
533
Does the BofE believe that there is a drug problem in the district? If so, how serious or extensive does the Board believe
the problem is? What are the statistics?
534
goal should be rehabilitation, not punishment that will drive a borderline student to seek alternatives to his or her activity
when it is taken from them. Also, testing gives the appearance that LZ has a worse problem than surrounding communities,
which will negatively impact home values and the desire to buy here, which will have a trickle down effect on businesses.
Lastly, there will likely be litigation which takes money that we need for our students and teachers.
I do not feel that random drug testing is an appropriate deterrent and am concerned about false positive results and privacy.
535 I also think that if the students are randomly tested, then so should the teachers and staff who also drive to and park at the
school and are involved in activities. Fair is fair.
Despite the obvious confidentiality issues I am definitely opposed to drug testing in district 95. The mantra continues to be
"the schools shouldn't be responsible to raise the children" rather the parents at home should be doing that. I am in
536 complete agreement and this is not a matter that the schools need to be taking on. Let alone the fact that there is no way
confidentiality can be maintained when punishment is nonparticipation. The board's heart may be in the right place but
there are so many things wrong with this idea. Please, please do not allow this to move forward.
I believe there is a bigger alcohol problem within our community. Perhaps having curfews inforced by our local police and
parents and School announcments regarding curfew could be a start if they are not already. I'm one of few parents who
537
follows rules and shows respect to authority and teachers. I feel that every student should be in the lottery, the jocks are
more likely drinking then smoking as the non-active students are more likely smoking and/or drinking. Good luck.
Research clearly shows that students left home alone after school/not involved in activities are more likely to smoke
538 cigarettes and do drugs. It makes NO sense to remove students from activities that may be keeping them from becoming
more involved in bad behaviors. The punishment may actually lead to more student problems.
While drug testing may seem like the school is pursuing a noble cause to 'protect students', we are doing nothing more than
539 stripping students of their rights and parents of their responsibilities. Of course there are parents who are not monitoring
their students' activities (and that's a shame!), but that does not make such parenting the responsibility of the school. If a
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: ...
Page 35 of 43
student is doing something on campus that endangers himself or others, the school has a mandate to step in; if a student is
drinking or doing drugs off campus, however, that is not the school's responsibility. The school already has procedures and
laws that allow it to step in and deal with a student who is suspected of being drunk or 'high', so there is no need to institute
this policy that would allegedly target 'random' students. The policy will not influence or inhibit students from what they want
to do, but it WILL send a message that the school does not trust parents to do their jobs.
540
I have students at LZHS and MSN. I am in favor of the program as long as it has a reasonable appeals process to ensure
that postitive tests are truely confirmed as positive.
541
I am completely against drug testing in the school period. Absolutely not. I in no way shape or form want my child removed
from class for this "random" testing. I think it's absurd to test only half the student population.
Where to begin.......... 1) Targeting specific students who are trying to better themselves, achieve, learn, contribute, by
being part of a club or team is fundamentally wrong. 2) If a student refuses a test based on principle, he or she will have the
stigma of a positive test on their record. How does the board intend to provide counseling for a student who stands on
principle? What type of message does the board send by labeling a student as testing positive simply becasue the student
542 makes a principled stand? 3) Has the board considered the cost of just one litigation over this issue? What about the costs
of potentially dozens of lawsuits regardless of the outcome? 4) What is the reason for all of this to begin with? We have
read nothing in the news to indicate any wide-spread problem. Why is this even being considered? 5) Why does the board
think that they can do a better job with our kids on this issue than the parents, teachers, counselors and administration?
Have we collectively failed in our roles and the board needs to come to the rescue?
If a teen were to have a "positive" result, the idea of suspending them from any club or sport is ridiculous. They need
support and help, not "free" time to do more drugs. Teens need guidance, participate in charity work, mentors. Also, there is
543 no way this would be "confidential" and could possibly have far worse consequences. Rather then spend the money on
drug-testing, use the money to create programs that students must participate in that shows them what could happen to
their life if they do drugs.
544
In an ideal world this wouldn't be an issue, but unfortunately drug use by children and teenagers is growing. I think
implementing a drug testing program could help curtail this problem and hold students accountable.
To begin, this survey was completely inadequate to capture public opinion on this subject. That said I believe that Lake
Zurich High School should not implement this or any drug testing program because: 1) Restricting the testing a sub-set of
students is completely unfair and does not address those students that are not involved and more likely to be taking drugs
545 2) It is the parents' responsibility to ensure the health and well being of their children, not the school district nor any other
government entity. 3) The cost of the program would be better spent on other educational items and/or expenses Finally, if
the level of thought and effort put into the creation of this survey is any indication of the thought and effort put into this drug
screening initiative, I have no confidence that it would be managed correctly.
546 teaching is what schools need to do.
547 I was in favor of random drug testing because it may be what is best for some students.
548
I am also very concerned about confidentiality, but could not indicate two reasons for being opposed to the drug testing. I
am also concerned about the negative impact a false positive will have on the student and parents.
549 I am very much in favor of random drug testing for ALL students, not just the students who participate in sports.
We have a significant drug problem within the district for students. However, I am POSITIVE it would not be random or
confidential. I have heard so much confidential information throughout the district from many parents/school staff. Also, I
feel the consequences of it affecting the child's future college or work plans are too significant considering the fact that they
are still children, learning to make responsible decisions. It is unfair to the child who makes one bad decision and potentially
could have his/her reputation tarnished forever because of a breach of privacy. Having had a child who had experimented
550 with marijuana in his high school days, I can tell you for sure: a family should know if a child is using drugs. Responsible
parents make it their business to know what appropriate behavior is for teens and will test their own children. Furthermore,
the district is financially strapped already. Spend the money on reading, writing and arithmetic. What's more of a public
problem, it that the US children are some of the most undereducated children in the world. We should be teaching
academics in school and morals at home! Where does this end and who's going to be courageous enough to put
boundaries around our school's responsibilities?
551 I also have a student in Middle School. I believe schools should continue to educate students on the ill effects of drug use.
552
I am concerned with confidentuality if drug testing is done in the HS, as well as the long term consequences on the student.
Will this remain on records entering college? I do feel this s/b parents responsibility not the schools however with the
amount of drugs and drinking that I understand is readily available at parties, I do believe it would be a strong deterrent and
ultimately save lives.
My primary objection to drug testing is that it is not a school's responsibility. The district is on a slippery slope of infringing
upon a person's constitutional rights. The proposed drug tests would target students MOST engaged with the school. These
students are actually doing something with their free time, are very engaged with the school and are more likely to be
553 planning for their future. What message is being sent by the administration-- "Don't engage with school activities"? I
understand the prevalence of drugs today---heroin use is on a very steep rise. It is scary that our youth has easy access to
these drugs. However, alternative ideas should be brainstormed by the community. Your copycat tactic is not a one size fits
all solution.
I have many reasons to oppose this random drug testing. It should be the parents of Lake Zurich that monitor their children
554 and their activities. Furthermore parents should step up to the plate and begin to discipline their children. After discussing
this issue with my children I believe that those that abuse drugs would not be in this select group of random testing. I also
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: ...
Page 36 of 43
feel that the consequences are too severe. We should think of positive ways to help these children that have drug issues.
Also I am not sure that randomly selecting students will remain private. Lastly who will really monitor the selecting when
currently there is an alcohol issue that is far greater and only selected individuals are being caught or punished. Once the
school can make sure that all testing and consequences are created equal and fairly this should not be done by LZ95
I have not seen sufficient cause to warrant this type of action and the fact that this was first brought up 3 plus years ago and
555 was tabled for financial reasons brings me to the conclusion that the board isn’t being fiscally responsible today. Why not
use any discretionary monies for educational purposes and leave the drug monitoring to the parents.
556
I strongly oppose random drug testing. For so many reasons. I wonder where the money will come from when you are
facing a law suit.
Originally I was for the drug testing but have switched to opposed because I don't believe that it's right to just focus on the
students involved in extracurricular activities. Generally these are the students that are trying to stay on the straight and
narrow and do something with their lives. It's the school base as a whole that should be tested,(especially those going a
stray), not just the atheletes and those driving. While I see the point of testing the athletes as they have to conform to strict
rules, it's also damaging to them if they are on meds for medical reasons. It's going to show false positives or weed them
out for their disabilities or illnesses and all confidentiality is going to be lost. Students will know when someone is being
557
tested, especially if they have to go back again. What about all those kids taking medicine during the cold and flu season or
inhales and steroids during that time. The school is going to spend a lot of money doing testing and not truly getting
accurate information, but definitely disrupting the family households and kids lives. I'm not sure what the right answer is on
this. I like the idea of eliminating drugs in the school but not the excess money being spent on inaccurate findings,
confidentiality loss, or damage to the childs reputation (when taking for medicl reasons). If done thou, the schoool as a
whole should be tested so everyone is on the same playing field or not all.
I think the school should have some standard to give students motivation to stay of drugs. But the plan raises questions
558 about what the school will do with the results and how they are handled, keep working and educating the parents on how
important it is to make a stand at home about drugs. I would like a day when I don't hear parents say "It's only pot."
1. We feel this is a poorly constructed survey. Many issues in question 2 apply, would have been more useful to rank order
than pick one. Question 4 only allows me to select one school where we have students in multiple schools. It appears there
are many more concerns that parents have yet the briefness of this survey provides little opportunity to provide a more
thorough responses. 2. Focus of content on the district web site is procedural versus reasons for implementing the program
which has opened up such a barrage of distrust and uncertainty between the board and the parents. We applaud the board
for attempting to tackle this issue however the approach was poorly executed and has left the board on the defensive as
opposed to working in a partnership with the parents. The result of this approach by the board has landed this story in the
559
media which has reflected poorly on our village. 3. Focus is on punishment versus help/intervention for the student, at least
for first time offenders. I would be more inclined to be in favor of testing if this was to help a student through this problem
versus punishing them. 4. Only statement we were able to find regarding the boards reason for pursuing this program was
to address concerns for student safety however there seems to be nothing to show how this will improve safety. How does
the policy translate to improving student safety? 5. What criteria and time frame will be used to judge the success or failure
of this policy? As we have learned from our nations recent engagements in the Middle East, you need an exit strategy up
front not after the fact.
Although drug prevention is a serious matter, I do not think the board has thought this policy through fully enough to
560 implement appropriately. Too much inconsistency and way too many open questions about the policy overall. I believe
implementing this now would be a big mistake and bring to light the gaps in the policy. Thank you.
561
I do not think the school district is capable of doing private, random drug testing. For various reasons, including the fact that
it only affects certain kids is not fair. The cost also plays a part.
562
Opposed because it is not the entire population being tested. Also, very concerned about disciplinary issues and pulling
kids out of class for testing. Very poor confidentiality.
563
Random Drug Testing is not effective and is discriminatory (any such policy should not be applied to any if not applicable to
all students regardless of what the Supreme Court thinks), the solution is not punishment, but education, and Random Drug
Testing does not address the much broader and more serious problem of alcohol abuse, the drug of choice of many adults
and likely many LZ staff, teachers, administrators, board members, and parents.
I do believe drugs are a problem at Lake Zurich High School -- as I believe is the case in other local high schools. However,
564 I'd prefer other methods to try to deter drug use rather than random drug testing of students who are involved in activities
and/or park at the school.
Selective drug testing as proposed by District 95 has been shown to be INEFFECTIVE at deterring current or future drug
use in students by the US Department of Education and other independent studies that examine the effectiveness of
random drug testing programs in schools. Additionally, random drug testing programs that test only students in extracurriculars focus on students who are intuitively LESS LIKELY to have drug issues - the programs are focusing on the
wrong portion of the student population. Furthermore,I have seen no empirical evidence or studies done by District 95 to
identify the need for this type of program. I also agree with concerns around privacy, lack of reasonable cause, false
565
positives and other points that were raised in the recent letter by Dan Fewkes printed in the Lake Zurich Courier (October
20, 2011). Finally, in a school district that is constantly cutting programs and increasing fees, the cost of this proposed
program seems to be a waste of money. Coupled with District 95's lack of enforcement of CURRENT drug and alcohol
policies (for example two freshman females caught drinking in the Girls Bathroom AND drunk on school grounds in January
2010 with limited punishment), spending precious District 95 funds on a program that is proven to be ineffective (DoE and
independent studies) and that by past history will not be enforced by District 95, seems to be a waste of time and money.
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: ...
566
Page 37 of 43
There are multiple reasons why I am opposed. My biggest concerns are false positives and the damage to a student and
the potential for legal action against the district. I am not convinced that the potential problems with the program have been
identified and communicated. It is critical that the district explore all risks and the potential consequences. Once analyzed, I
am convinced that it will not make sense to implement drug testing.
One of my biggest concerns is the lack of a procedure for a false positive. Is an explanation sufficient or is there the means
to have the student go to a doctor and get tested independently? How effective will the testing be if you are testing only part
567 of the student body? It won't be possible to keep the results confidential because once a student ceases activities or loses
their parking pass, everyone will assume they failed their test. It seems the money would be better spent providing better
education against the risks of alcohol and drugs.
568
Why can't I fill in more than one blank on Question 4? It is not the school's job to parent our children. It is the school's job to
teach our children.
It appears to me the general community is not fully aware of the rampent usage of drugs and alcohol at the High School
level. We must take a multi-disciplinary approach to help our children. The parents, their peers, the high school and the
569 community needs to work together. Lets remember this is not a witch hunt. The school board and school personel have
instituted a plan with 'helping the child' as the key! A substance abuse coodinator will be available for all students and their
parents. Let us not lose focus on the real issue, helping our children!!
570
I would like the schools to focus on what they do best...educating. Educate parents and children about the bad effects of
using and abusing drugs. Spend money and resources on educating. Let parents handle setting limits and consequences.
571 I don't believe it is the schools responsibilty. I also do not think the way it would be carried out would be confidential.
572 You should consider randomly testing staff as well.
I'm concerned that my survey will be thrown out becuase I did not answer #3. I did not do that because I'm not in favor of
573 random drug testing at all. I believe that the school board should listen to the partents and concern themselves with fiscal
responsibility and educating our children and leave the parenting to the parents.
574
I haven't seen anything that shows there is a sufficient need and I believe confidentiality will be an issue. I thought there
were budget issues at the school, how to you justify spending thousands of dollars per tested student?
I oppose random drug testing because there is no need for it in Lake Zurich. There is not a significant problem to warrant it
and it is a waste of money that could be spent on student activities or more computers. Taking kids out of class to drug test
575 them, which could cause them to miss something important like a test or lab, is absolutely insane. This testing will not serve
as a deterrent to those who are using drugs since most of them do not care about activities anyway. You should focus on
teaching our children and not wasting our money on areas that are not your responsibility.
576
I hope that the few students that do test positive would be kept confidential and help would be given to the students instead
of sending the message that the tool is trying to "catch" students.
577
Implement this initiative. It is one more level of assistance to us as parents in combating the pervasive drug problem. I
encourage you to hear MY voice and move forward.
I have children at all levels of education at Lake Zurich schools and I am concerned about the cost and whether drug
testing is warranted (is there a big problem at the high school?) Also, the first survey sent out did not ask questions that
578
allowed for this feedback. I feel that the district should spend this money on positive edcuational areas like music/band or
arts that are often cut back when money is tight.
My children are in elementary school and I am concerned that you are using a sledgehammer to do the job of a tweezer.
When we give in to aggressive prevention measures like this we not only put the school district in the awkward position
taking on parental responsibility, in the process, we cede more and more of our rights to privacy and that concerns me. It
also concerns me to read the comments from past surveys and see just how many people are seriously concerned about a
bad drug problem at the LZHS. How much data do we have about this drug problem, and is this proposed protocol in part
an effort to gather more data and quantify what district officials deem to be a problem? Could there be a sunset measure
included to give this an end date if it turns out (as it has in other schools per a recent NPR report on the subject) that the
students being randomly tested are NOT showing evidence of a drug problem and that your program is barking up the
wrong tree? Has consideration been given to the effect that "randomly selecting" 15 of our students six times a year will
579
have on the culture of that school? How about when a new drug surfaces and renders your testing protocol antequated -like the current Bath Salt craze? Who decides what drug needs to be tested for next? Has anyone calculated the statistics
on what the chances are for a student entering LZHS as a freshman and graduating as a senior will have of being tested
randomly? It strikes me that this information would have to be considered as you were formulating the program's deterrent
effects. I have not seen that information in any of the reading I have done on the district site. As a parent, I feel it is my
responsibility to keep watch over my child and ensure that they are not showing signs of drug use and take appropriate
measures to ensure that they are complying with the law and rules of their school. I can only hope that if this measure
passes, less ambitious parents will not see it as a way of abdicating their own responsibility to remain watchful, vigilant and
ready to do whatever it takes to keep their teenaged child safe and developing to their fullest potential.
I feel this program will not favorably impact the drug problem at LZHS. It only targets the students involved in supervised
extracurricular programs. We should encourage students to particpate & be successful in these programs. An error in the
580
drug testing could result in irreparable damage to a student's reputation, self-esteem & high school career. This program is
not the answer to controlling in drugs in LZHS.
581 1) Enforce existing rules using current police presence, not random testing. 2)Probable cause and drug sniffing dogs would
be more appropriate. 3)Build in more checks\balances to avoid mistakes. 4) Ensure confidetility. Have results sent to
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: ...
Page 38 of 43
parents only, not to the school. They can decide to use school resources, or go independently. 5) Parents MUST be
involved 6)
Re confidentiality: when a student is suddenly restricted from participating in a sport in which they were active or parking in
"their assigned parking spot" how does the school not see this as breaking confidentiality that could cause kids to spiral
downward from the pressure of letting down their peers/team or the embarrassement of being publicly called out by the
582 simple notation of being absent. What about the kids who are spiraling out of control that are not tested or are so checked
out that they are not in activities, sports or apply for a parking permit. They could be the most likely to be at risk but under
your current protocol, you have no way to reach out to them. I have a senior student and middle schooler, the peer
pressure is intense. If you could figure out the confidentiality, I might consider a yes vote. Thank you.
We believe that it is our responsibility as parents to personally handle any issues regarding drug use/abuse. We also have
583 read up on the research which doesn't indicate to us a decrease in drug use from random testing. Since we are opposed to
random drug testing in general, NONE of the items in question 3 would accurately represent our position.
Regardless of what the courts might have said about "privilege", it is absurd to single out only those students in
extracirricular activities, etc. for random drug testing. While I might otherwise support testing, since I believe drugs have no
place in schools and testing would serve as a strong deterrent, the proposed selection criteria is discriminatory and hardly
"random", so I am opposed. What is the basis for testing a student that chooses to play soccer, perform in a musical, or
march in the band, but not a kid sitting next to them in class who elects not to participate in such activities? There is little,
584 and it would be illogical and bad policy to do so. Indeed, students in the target group are probably less likely to be offenders
than the student body as a whole, yet they get singled out nonetheless. Students should be encouraged to participate in
extracirricular activities, not penalized for doing so. While the law as it stands may allow for this type of discriminatory
testng, the Board should refrain from implementing any testing until the law is changed to permit a more even-handed
approach. In short, if a drug testing program cannot be done fairly, so as to include all students, then it should not be done
at all.
585 I feel that is should include all students no a selected group.
I am completely aware of the law, but random isn't random due to the narrow population and small number to be tested. I
don't believe there will be confidentiality and I also do believe it is a parent responsibility. I also think, yes drugs are a
problem but I don't believe this truly hits on that group or alcohol which is a bigger problem. And where does steroid testing
etc come in. WIth athletes this should be done, with kids at school under the influence it should be done, but then again a
fear of lawsuit prevents this. Trust isn't really established when there has been problems with roofs blowing off, sinking
586
supports, mold, abestos. It may not be this board but...And yes, I've had high schoolers too. This subject has caused a
tremendous amount of controversy and time that maybe could have gone to education. If there was a history of trust and
transparency on all subjects this would not be such an issue. If all of the papers are picking this up, how does this also look
for our image, in light of poor scores, high taxes, and falling property? The ONLY plus I could see to doing this is it provides
an out for kids not to be pressured. Hopefully parents have done this job before HS.
I do not believe it is appropriate for LZ to be testing students. It is first a parents responsibility to provide boundaries,
expectations and consequences for their child's behaviors and actions. In addition, there is nothing in the LZ schools that I
have observed that would warrant this testing. (I have two LZHS students) They are proud of their school and their peers
and the Administration (especially in the sports programs) have done an outstanding job of setting high expectations for
587
these kids. The groups targeted are the ones with the highest levels of parental involvement and have acceled
academically and athletically. No reason at all to have this group subjected to testing when they are already setting the bar
for their peers. Reinforce the positive behaviors - don't penalize those who are the most influential - handle the exceptions
on a case-by-case basis as appropriate for the situation. Kids will make mistakes. It is part of the learning process.
Our society has random drug testing for a variety of jobs and training programs. It only makes sense that testing become a
588 part of everyone's daily life. I encourage the Board to thoughtfully consider the consequences of their decision and provide
support and assistance for positive drug screens.
it is not practical from any standpoint. there will be no confidentiality for the students, everyone will know immediately why
the student is gone from class and the results of the test. the punishment for the test is inappropriate, we are supposed to
589 keep the kids out of harms way, not give them more of an opportunity to get into it. these tests and the administrator will be
too costly. honestly i don't think that this is the best way to stop the student body from doing drugs, it seems more like a
way for those who are so inclined to get out of doing any activities that perhaps would keep them otherwise occupied.
590 I do not feel random drug testing is the schools responsibility. I also am concerned about confidentiality issues and the cost.
I object on many levels. Mostly because the testing doesn't address rehab at all. How do these kids get back on track?
What if a kid tried it once - do they still lose out, because it's in their hair folicle? What if they cleaned themselves up - and
the hair test goes back 6 months? There is no 1st offense - warning. Girls are more subject to longer look back times
because of their longer hair. Will boys start shaving their heads to stop the hair testing? If the kid is kicked out of their sport
for 50% of the season and the season is more than 50% done, what incentive do they have to stop taking drugs? The tests
591
don't go after alcohol, so instead of drugs will the kids just switch to alcohol? Do you honestly think that kids actually fear
getting caught? They don't now,so what purpose are you trying to prove, that you have proof that we have a drug problem?
I could go on. I have had 2 children go through the HS, I believe it is our strong home front and teachings that kept our kids
off drugs, not fear of testing. AND keeping them busy with sports, schoolwork, activities in school and with our family. That
is what you should be encouraging, not threatening to take it away.
I do not believe that only testing and hold accountable only a subset of the HS population is appropriate or fair. I also do not
592 feel that the cost of the testing, coordinating the logistics behind testing and testing problem resolution (i.e. false positives,
challenges of the results, confidentiality, etc.) outweighs the benefits.
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: ...
Page 39 of 43
I have many concerns regarding random drug testing in schools. Foremost is that I feel it is my responsibility as a parent
and not the schools to handle this matter. I am also concerned about the confidentiality or lack there of, despite what is
outlined in the proposal. I also feel that these procedures leave out the number #1 problem with high school kids today,
which is alcohol. There is a much bigger problem with alcohol use than any of the drugs that the students might be tested
for. Since these drug tests do NOT test for alcohol use, the message we are sending to these kids is that they should not
do drugs, but drink instead, which we all know is a much bigger problem in society today, but since many adults drink and it
is considered socially acceptable, the powers to be just choose to sweep that problem under the rug and ignore it. Instead
of threatening our kids and putting them in an awkward situation, why not try educating them about the dangers of drugs
593
AND alcohol. Finally, what is the real motive behind random drug testing? Does the school district receive money for
implementing this program? Who REALLY benefits from putting this plan into action? If this is such a great idea, then how
come some of the best high schools in the state DO NOT have a random drug testing plan in place. I would guess that
there are more H.S. that DO NOT have a policy in effect than do. Does that mean that their school board doesn't care about
their students? I don't think that is the case. Another question. Does the school board plan to put any money aside for any
potential lawsuits that will arise from false positives, confidentiality issues, or parents not wanting their kids tested. If so,
where is that money coming from??? While I do agree that drugs are bad, using scare tactics and misinformation is not
right way to get people on board with this issue.
594
I beleive that random drug tsting witout cause is a violation of personal privacy and creates confidentiality issues as well as
an invasion of a person's rights.
595
Suggestion-have the consequence of a positive test result be productive and helpful(a counseling session), rather than
punitive(being kicked off the team).
596
Current usage percentages at LZHS. Program stats from schools who have implemented this program already. An
objective pros and cons list.
I am concerned about the reason for the random drug testing. If it is "another tool in the student's tool kit" then my response
is what tools do the other 40-50% of the student population that isn't priveleged have since legally we can't randomly drug
test all of the students. I had asked this question via a notecard at the meeting on 10/5/11, what percentage of the students
that have been caught using drugs have been priveleged kids? How does it breakout for example x% were athletes, x%
were in other extra curriculur activities, x% had parking priveleges and x% were not involved and did not have parking
597 priveleges. No one was able to answer that question. I think that is a very important set of statistics to have before a
program like this is implemented. If the evidence shows a large percentage in the none of the above students then how do
we help them and why are we targeting the priveleged students. If the evidence shows that the priveleged students are the
larger percentage than there is more of a basis in merit for this program. I would be willing to discuss this further. Thank you
to all of the Board Members for all that you do on a volunteer basis for our school district. Sincerely,
Concerned with: false positives and the burden of proof that I will have to come up with; how this will aaffect those that DO
test positive; that testing is not the correct answer and that the board has not explored other possibiltiies; the stigma
598
associated with testing; what the BOE has planned when the first law suit is filed and how THESE law suits will affect MY
taxes...amound many many other things
My feeling is that the consequences for a one time positive result have the opposite effect in keeping kids off drugs. Having
kids involved in groups and positive activities is the best way to keep kids from using drugs. If we penalizing first offenders
with the loss of extra curricular activities we are taking away one of the most powerful drug prevention and avoidance
strategies we have and in the end might have a more detrimental impact on drug use especially with those who are
experimenting. The loss of membership in an activity may result in those first time experimenters deciding to turn toward
599
more drug use at a time when they need extra curricular activities and positive groups the most. Ultimately, it is ultimately
the responsibility of parents and kids to remain free of drugs. The school has a role in providing education and positive
reinforcement, but negative consequences are the responsibility of parents and law enforcement. The school district should
punish those students who use drugs on school property or at school events, but random testing goes well beyond the
school’s responsibility to insure a drug free environment.
600
For any student, family or school, the quicker a problem is detected, the better the outcome will be. Drug use destroys
peoples' futures. Help these kids stay drug free now and help society too.
I also have issues with the testing procedures. I think that there will be discrimination between boys and girls. It is a fact that
most girls will not have a problem coming up wiht a hair sample while most boys with their short hair or shaven heads will
not be able to produce a hair sample. The hair test and urine test are completely different tests. Their test periods are
601 different, hair, 3 months, urine, about 10 days. They also test different drugs. Therefore a girls drug testing period goes
back way longer than a boys and this is completely unfair. Obviously no person should do drugs but to have an unfair
testing prodecure is not completely acceptable. IF THIS POLICY WERE TO PASS, ALL TESTING PROCEDURES
SHOULD BE THE SAME IN ORDER TO MAKE THE TESTING FAIR AND EQUITABLE TO ALL STUDENTS.
In general, I am in favor of drug testing. From what I hear, there are many students smoking marijuana. However, my gut
602 tells me the proposed consequences might be ineffective. I am concerned that the lengthy suspension from extra-curricular
activities might lead to heavier use. I think a shorter suspension with more frequent urine tests would be more effective.
603
Spend the money on a pool for the school. Focus on awareness and education, not punishments for mistakes made by
minors.
604
I just feel as a parent it is our responsability to make sure that our children dont use and keep them informed of the
concquences if they do use wether its alchol or drugs. thankyou
605 No comments at this time.
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: ...
Page 40 of 43
Based upon numerous reasons, the Board MUST vote against drug testing. The Board/School District needs to stay out of
606 medical/legal issues. Testing will not have an impact.If you want to directly help someone, work on sidewalks, lights and
crosswalks for High School students currently at high risk crossing Midlothian/Church Streets.
The students that are going to be effected by the testing are the students that already participate in school activities.
607 Removing students from these activities will negatively effect these students and help no one. Is this an absolute necessity
and, if so, who does it benefit?
608 I have students in elementary, middle, and high school that could potentially be effected by this.
I believe it’s the school’s responsibility to educate our children, not to be the parent and disciplinarian of our children. I
believe there are many open questions regarding the testing, the consistency of the consequences to the children, as well
as the effect on the entire family. I don’t believe the board has proven there is a severe drug problem in Lake Zurich to pass
this policy so quickly, I heard nothing of this argument until recently this year. I believe more information needs to be
gathered and presented that everyone agrees to this policy, not a chosen few. The School Board President advised the
policy cannot be applied to all students, that is a flaw in itself. Students that may need assistance the most will just be
overlooked. And if we are testing I would like to see teaches and coaches tested, let’s teach by example. I believe that
609 excluding kids from their activities will push them further away from school instead of having the positive mentoring when
being involved with activities. I’m concerned that kids will find other, maybe more potent drugs and drinking that won’t be
detected by this policy. I think there are many other places our dollars can be spent, how about a sidewalk on Midlothian
where kids are walking everyday and have been killed, how about a street light to enter the school, how about taking that
money any lowering our athletic fees. Lake Zurich I’ve read is one of the highest in the State. And the $3600 officials
estimate the testing would cost does not include the aftermath cost of counseling, rehab, possible court fees, as well as the
impact of children applying to colleges and jobs. Again I believe more information needs to be gathered and presented that
everyone agrees to this policy. Thank you.
610 A rather short survey and not sure what useful information it really provides to the District.
What a child does off school property, after school hours is the family's responsibility and not the school's. Also for the
611 borderline kids, school activities are the healthiest (socially and physically) for them. To banish them will only make some of
them more despondent and possibly push them further down the wrong path. Thank You.
612
Why do each of the choices in number 4 end with a question mark? What if you have children at more than one of the listed
schools?
I don't believe enough information on the benefits or positive impacts of random drug testing in high schools has been
613 provided. Has such testing detered drug use amongst the students in other schools that have incorporated similar
programs? What other options do we have to reduce drug use?
For question #2 the dot for choice "g" was chosen for me and I cannot remove it to not answer that question. I have heard
614 all the pros and cons of this issue. I support random drug testing. Illegal drugs are just that...illegal. Children do not have
the right to take illegal drugs. If this policy deters just one child from trying drugs then I would consider it to be successful.
615 i strongly oppose drug testing by District 95 as i do not believe it will deter the use of drugs by kids.
Although I'm in favor of random drug testing, I would like to see consequences of a positive test be mandatory attendance
616 to drug abuse training/education classes rather than expulsion from school activities. I believe being involved in school
activities helps keep the kids busy and out of trouble.
617
Random drug testing is unequivocally unconstitutional. Our tax dollars pay teachers to educate not police. Instead of
infringing on the unalienable rights of our children, you should teach the kids about the emotional and physical effects of
abusing drugs. Random drug testing will have negative effects on the children, which has been well documented. Don't
forget that we, the parents, pay your salary!
618
It is not your business to be drug testing students. Let parents do the parenting. Testing kids in activities makes no sense.
They aren't the ones with the drug problems. Besides, this district need to spend its money on educating, not policing. Buy
some additional computers so that we match the computer to student ratio of Barrington or Stevenson. This is a complete
waste of time and money. Random drug testing is a solution in search of a problem!
I have a highschooler and an 8th grader. Kids are sneakey-they have all sorts of ways to obtain drugs and to use them in
forms we dont even know about. The internet is full of helpful hints on melting their parent pils and smoking them on foil or
mainling them-drugs like oxy, meth and heroin-it is all out there, if you don't think it is you are wrong -i could have any drug i
wanted in my house in a matter of minutes-drug dealers are everywhere, you most likey live with one of them on your block.
619
You can't be naive and think they are not there-i know who they are and most are our own children. My child says kids
smoke pot prior to coming to school on a daily basis.she has named names and those parents would be benefitted from
random drug test against their kid to wake them up to reality. Kids also sell alchohol in water bottles for $20 and drink it at
school or save it for parties later. No one knows it looks like water or pop.
The school's role is to educate - not parent. As soon as a student exits the school grounds the school is not liable for a
student's actions. The school's only involvement should be if there is drug activity ON SCHOOL GROUNDS. Considering
the fact that Lake Zurich is a small town, YOU CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT RESULTS WILL REMAIN CONFIDENTIAL.
People talk. Furthermore, random drug testing can potentially cause financial and sociological issues between students,
620 parents, and teachers alike. Drug testing alone would be bad enough, but the district is considering pushing this invasive
and offensive threat even further through "mandatory" student/parent/school meetings, counseling and rehab. Just how are
you going to enforce that? Last time I checked, this was a free country. Is District 95 exempt from adhering to our
fundamental rights? It seems as if the only logical reason behind this "random drug testing" pitch could be about money.
Are we spending money on drug testing to "help" students or to selfishly create a profit for District 95? My question remains,
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: ...
Page 41 of 43
who is really going to benefit? The students or the school? The police chief has said that Lake Zurich "does NOT have a
drug problem any more than any other suburb". SO WHY ARE YOU MAKING IT LOOK LIKE THERE IS? This has already
made the news - now people think Lake Zurich has a drug problem. If you want to traumatize your students and OUR
CHILDREN, using fear as your weapon, by all means, go for it. But lets not stop there. As adults, we're supposed to set a
good example - so why don't you also RANDOMLY DRUG TEST yourselves, your staff, and your faculty too.
I was not able to make the meeting where this was discussed due to business travels, but will absolutely make it next time.
Stick to teaching our children and leave the parenting to the parents. We pay a lot of taxes to our schools and would expect
that if we, as parents, deny the school the ability to test our children that they would still be allowed to be involved in school
621
activities. If I want my child tested, I will do it myself with a self kit or through other means. I will never support this! Spend
the money some other way. By am anti-drug....and anti government when it comes to things like this! It is our right to be
parents to our children and not our school's right!
Board Members: In the course of creating the drug-testing program many unforeseen compromises of morals and
expectations have been made. Some opinions are; 1. The program relies on entering a guilty verdict against a student
based on a refusal to test, a test or an errant test. This unleashes the programs basis: fear. 2. It’s not random sampling. It’s
selective. Only half of the students will be threatened by sanctions. The other half will live free of the threat. 3. It disregards
fundamental liberties to be free in ones person from unreasonable searches. No one has expressed a valid reason for this
extreme program. 4. It disregards rights to not incriminate oneself. Students are children, without a sense of the
repercussions of their actions. Pressure and adults can often manipulate them into making statements that start witch-hunts
against parents, kids and neighbors. Even if a student comes forward and asks for help, it will be counted as a strike
against them. Currently they can seek help without fear. 5. The District’s process did not take parents into account. At the
July 7th meeting a trustee asked the SAP Coordinator what she would do if a student wanted to go into a program that the
parents did not want, the SAP coordinator responded that she would get the student the help he wanted. 6. It changed from
one that was supposed to help students into one that will punish, alienate and enable life-long resentment for unfair
treatment. 7. When asked if the District knew how successful Antioch’s or other programs were, the District said it did not
know. 8. When asked how the District would re-build a person stigmatized by the inherent failings of the confidentiality
622
structure, the District said they had no answer. 9. When asked how the District had prepared for lawsuits, it had no answer.
10. When a toxicologist asked the S.A.P. Coordinator fundamental questions about structuring the program to minimize
false positives, the S.A.P. Coordinator did not have the answers. The audience laughed disparaging her reputation. 11. The
program prescribes harsher punishments for different activities. Year long activities receive longer sentences. Sports and
activities do not have uniform timelines and meetings. Fairness is ignored. 12. The program disrespects that students have
practiced for years or have natural talents to participate in their sport or activity. 13. The procedures build in favoritism
allowing coaches and sponsors discretion. 14. The inability of the District to express that the program will be effective or
present parents with useful data for them to determine if drug testing is effective showed at least a weakness in the
Administration’s understanding of social science and at worst showed an unspoken advocacy. This comment should go on
for another ten points about existing law & Code of Conduct, HIPAA, paying for re-hab, do students meet dealers in re-hab,
and the experts in our universities, government and doctors who say high school drug testing does not work, etc. Voting for
testing makes a mockery of the schools mission. Implementation of the program would show the District has contempt for
students and their parents. There are innumerable positive educational avenues parents and the community can help you
pursue for all of our students. Vote against testing and move in a positive direction.
I am not opposed to random drug testing. I am just not convinced that random drug testing would solve the drug use
problem so I am not sure that it would be worth the district going through the expense. I also do not feel that punishing a
student by pulling them off a team is the right thing to do either....this would just encourage the student to follow a path we
are trying to discourage because they no longer have an obligation to a team, club, etc. My suggestion would be that if
caught to allow a student to remain on the team. They would have to continue to attend all practices, but they would be
623 suspended from games for a period of time (playoffs included if it falls into the time period of the violation). In addition to
this they would have to perform some type of community service and also complete some type of course (one that would be
equivalent to the one you would take for a traffic violation). The district would need set rules for students and would have to
enforce them consistently! Everyone has the same set of rules whether they are a captain, star athlete, etc. If a star athlete
had to miss a game, playoffs, etc then I think just knowing that they let their team down would be a punishment. I think once
kids see students suffering consequences consistently it would put some fear in many them.
624 Is illegal drug use at the high school so big a problem that random drug testing is needed to reduce it?
1. I have not seen any documentation, facts or stats stating this is a problem at LZHS. Without this information, I cannot
vote for or against. 2. To control confidentiality, I think the number of people involved in testing needs to be limited to the
SAP coordinator and Principal only. I don't understand why the Athletic Dir or Asst Principal need to know. Since
625
confidentiality is a big issue, the least amount of people that know, would give the most confidentiality. 3. If there is a
positive result due to testing, again confidentiality is no longer an option with the punishments that have been stated. I
agree help is required, but there are more discreet ways to help people without advertising it.
I am opposed to random drug testing because I feel that it does not help the population of students most likely to lose
interest in school and turn to drugs. Students that are involved in extracurricular activities are not the most like to become
involved in using drugs at this age. I also do not agree in the limited selection of drugs that the test would be used for. Not
including stuff drugs as steroids, nicotine and alcohol which are more prevalently used with teenagers sends the wrong
message. Cigarettes or nicotine is one of the most additive drugs out there. A steroid when used by a person that is still
626 growing has major negatives effects on their bodies. In a study completed by the Department of Education and published in
July of 2010, they found that, both testing for a larger number of substances and testing for alcohol and tobacco were
significantly correlated with lower substance use in the treatment schools relative to the control schools. Additional fact from
the study; Do students who are subject to MRSDT report different perceptions of the consequences of substance use than
comparable students in high schools without MRSDT? No, on two measures of students’ perceptions of the positive and
negative consequences of using substances, students subject to MRSDT did not report having different perceptions of the
consequences of substance use relative to comparable students in high schools without MRSDT. The lack of statistically
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: ...
Page 42 of 43
significant impacts on students’ perceived consequences of substance use in this study differs from prior research
suggesting that MRSDT may have unintended negative consequences on these outcomes (Goldberg et al. 2003, 2007). I
feel a program that more properly addresses "at risk" students would have a greater impact on the health of the entire
student body.
We have one of those kids who has a hard time just going to school. I fear that the possibility of being forced into a drug
627 test will give her even more anxiety. If we have a drug problem in the future, we will deal with it privately. Please stay
focused on education, that is your area of expertise.
Additional reasons why I oppose random drug testing (RDT),other than my answer to Ques 2, are: lack of research and
data showing the effectiveness of RDT in preventing drug use, before implementing programs in our schools there should
be evidence that the program is successful in what is trying to accomplish; the results cannot be kept confidential; the need
for specfic criteria to measure the effectiveness and a plan of action if the program is not effective; the need to research
628
other drug prevention programs that do not exclude students; possibility of legal challenges or actions against the school;
the belief that RDT is optional or that it is okay because the student/parent agrees is misleading because the only other
choice a student has is to give up their involvement as a school athlete and club member, which is a loss for the school and
the individual as well as necessary for a student's acceptance into competitive colleges;
629 For the answer for question 2, the following also apply A, C, E and F.
I don't believe it is the school's responsibility to test my child for drug use. Also, with the method proposed, the wrong group
of kids is being targeted, as studies show kids in activities are less likely to use drugs. (Yes, I understand the law is that you
630 can't test an entire student body.) A better way to find the kids using drugs would be with canine units searching lockers as
many other high schools do. Your proposed procedure is invasive, and removes a child's right to privacy. Also, the margin
for error is too high. Is a child's reputation worth it? Please do not pass this.
I am strongly opposed to random drug testing. I believe that random drug testing gives parents and a community a false
sense of security. The students that are being singled out are the ones involved with extracurricular activities. That does not
seem fair. Students not otherwise involved with the school can continue to sell and/or use drugs with no repercussions from
a school that is "cracking down" on drug use. There are privacy rights being trampled as well. What if a student is taking a
631
prescribed drug that may mask itself as a positive result on an illicit drug test? What about a false positive? The
ramifications or stigma from something like that could change the trajectory of a student's life. I strongly urge the Board not
to act rashly on this important issue. The number of children involved and the costs are far too great. This issue requires
much more debate and public awareness before the Board takes action. Thank you.
I don't feel that the drug testing program has been completely thought through, especially on the consequences towards the
school on potential lawsuits and I can assure you there will be. I feel this is being pushed upon us not unlike the Obama
Care program and that none of us know near enough to implement such a program at this time. I, for one, did not even
know that we had such a problem at the school. I also am aware that there are student's that are currently on medications
for different situations however there are Doctor reports stating that some of these prescribed medications could in fact test
632 positive for some of the drugs that are being targeted. Then here is a student that is just taking medication because he or
she has to and they get penalized for it. I don't get what the urgency is in pushing this program through without first having
researched all of the situations involved and then developing a proven and known process and procedure for implementing
such a program. Please keep in mind that my taxes are paying for jobs and keeping the school going and I don't want to
pay any additional amounts based on our School Board making rash decisions that will get our district into trouble and cost
me the taxpayer more money in the interim.
I am strongly opposed and would consider moving out of Lake Zurich in order to send my children to a different high school
633 when the time comes. I would no longer suggest to prospective residents that Lake Zurich would be an excellent town for
them to put down roots.
634
I am also strongly opposed because it violates the US Constitution 4th amendment right to be free from illegal search &
seizure, & don't feel us tax payers should be paying for the cost, there are better ways to spend our money for our students.
635
The testing should be random and any positive findings should be repeated to ensure against false positives. Parents
should be notified, but no record should be kept of positive results.
636
I feel that students that do not participate in drugs should not be subject to this testing and the money should be spent
towards improving the eduction for our kids at the school. For the students that are involved with drugs they should already
be getting help from there families. When and if the testing is passed what will this prove besides suspension from
activities. Will the school go forward and help the student. ?
Random drug testing of minors, especially in a public school, is not an effective use of time or resources and does not align
with the school district's responsibilities to its students, their parents, and the community/taxpayers. While there is a clear
cost associated with the program, the associated benefit is neither clear nor definitive. If our primary concern is to protect
the students, then we need to first define the areas of risk and then second prioritize them before allocating resources to
one of many areas of concern. If resources are truly available for something as controversial as drug testing, we should first
address the more critical issues, such as bullying or overall safety (providing safe, secure facilities). Instead of focusing on
637 a select set of the student body and subjecting them to random drug testing because they choose to be active participants
in school life, we should instead look to educational programs for both students and staff, training of teachers and support
staff to be more aware of identifying students at risk and developing stronger methods of communication between school
staff and parents to address concerns head-on. The school district’s responsibility is to provide a safe learning environment
for our children, affording them with opportunities to learn, grow, and develop into mature, responsible, respectful citizens of
their community. It is not the school district’s responsibility to act as parent or police. Let’s use our taxpayer dollars for what
they were intended – education, resources, opportunities. It was not even three years ago that the community was up in
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011
Zoomerang | Fall 2011 Parent Survey on Random Drug Testing: Open Ended Report: ...
Page 43 of 43
arms when the school board attempted to eliminate programs in an effort to balance the budget in these challenging
economic times. Provide our children with opportunities, not scare tactics.
638
Sure, the initial cost may be low, but have you figured in the costs of the law suits? I think parents need to be parents and
educators need to be educators. Parents need to do their job; educators need to teach, not babysit.
In response to question 2, I am strongly opposed to random drug testing for many reasons, some of which you did list
above. However, my primary opposition to such a policy is the messages/lessons it would send to our children, the impact
to their thinking, and ultimately the impact on their world if such thinking were carried with them into adulthood when they
become leaders of our society. A few reasons for this opposition are as follows: 1. Expressed Distrust: If this policy were
implemented, the message sent to our sons and daughters would be that we simply do not trust them. The message would
be, "You are all liars. We do not trust your word or commitments, and will therefore have to perform analytical tests to check
on you". The kids who would be subject to the random testing presumably already sign a commitment to remain drug and
alcohol free. This commitment is their word/promise to their teammates/classmates, coaches, teachers, parents, faculty,
and administration to remain drug-free and alcohol-free. The implemenation of any random drug testing policy would be an
indication that commitment means nothing and they just can't be trusted. 2. Guilty Until Proven Innocent: The proposed
policy states "Any student who refuses to be tested will be judged as a positive test". In other words, they are all presumed
guilty of drug use until proven innocent by producing a negative test result. This is the complete opposite of the very
foundation of the US legal system, where all accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty. This is very disturbing
message to send to the kids. I think our country will be a very different place if they were taught this lesson and carry it
639 forward into adulthood. 3. Misalignment with Stated Goal: If the intended goal of this policy is to improve the health and
safety of our high schoolers by reduction in drug use, then the proposed policy seems to be targeting the wrong population.
When addressing a problem, the solution should be targeting at the most common cause first. The assumption is that if
there is a drug problem at LZHS, that the majority of those using drugs are not participating in sports or clubs. Therefore,
those kids that are most in need of intervention will not even be on the radar of this policy. 4. Infringement of Civil Liberties:
Random drug testing as proposed is an infringement of the kids civil liberties. As American citizens our high schoolers are
guarenteed certain rights to privacy. Do you really want to live in a world where any government/public entity is granted the
authority to show-up on your doorstep and demand a bodily tissue sample simply because you are on the list of randomly
selected citizens? Can you imagine, for instance, if the government somehow passed a bill to implement random drug
testing simply for the "privilege" of being a property owner. It is one thing to utilize drug testing in specific situations to prove
or disprove drug use under suspicion of guilt. But, to use it on a random sampling of kids simply for the "privilege" of
participationg in athletics, clubs, or parking just doesn't seem right, and certainly not the intended function of our public
school system. I don't want our kids thinking that this is how our government works. Please, take the time to fully consider
the implications of implementing a random drug testing policy. My primary opposition to such a policy is the
messages/lessons it would send to our children, the im
Products & Services | About Us | Support/Help
© 2011 Copyright MarketTools Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use
http://app.zoomerang.com/Report/PrintOpenEndedResponsesPage.aspx?print_all=
10/28/2011