Jim Quirico Hillsborough
The discussions regarding the proposed random drug testing at the Hillsborough High School are ongoing. I attended the Jan. 28th meeting and was pleased to see a larger than normal turn out.
Most of the high school physical education staff was there (most of whom are coaches), along with a few teachers and the athletic director. I was beyond happy to see them come out; however, I had hoped more teachers would come out to voice their opinions.
The same goes for the students and parents; only 18 people spoke at the meeting on this issue; it is a larger turn out than normal, but with such a big issues being discussed, I had hoped for a full house.
The majority of those who spoke supported the proposed plan. The physical education teachers and coaches support such a plan; they already have a drug testing program implemented for athletes, which I am sure the public may not be aware of.
Personally, the best speaker of that group was Norm Hewitt, baseball coach and teacher in the district since 1969. He said such a program “may not be the popular thing to do, but it’s the right thing.”
Frankly, I couldn’t agree more. Those involved in politics, be it school board, the Senate, on up to the White House, who simply do the “popular thing,” are not helping people, and bettering the population for which they have been elected to serve.
History shows us that many elected officials have made unpopular decisions, for the better of a community, and are later in time respected and admired for such a decision. I see such a potential for this Board of Education.
A few students came out and spoke, which as one person pointed out, “takes courage.” It does take a lot to get up to the microphone at a young age.
I listened to what they said, and respect their comments; however I don’t agree with their logic. Two or three of the students stated such a drug testing program infringes on their Constitutional rights, under the 4th amendment.
I went home and thought about that, and my conclusion is as follows; Is it not worse to break a law, doing drugs, than possibly, have your rights violated? I really have a deep respect for those, at such a young age, who quote the Constitution, however, I feel some of these students use their so-called rights as an excuse to hide behind.
The parents that spoke out against the plan, I commend you. Some have come out to say that it is really the parent’s job to monitor their children, and I agree.
But I always remember growing up; most of my friends parents were not home often. They were raised by nannies and a daycare at a young age, and then forced into extra curricular activities.
I fully support having an active child, but letting someone else raise your child, signing them up to keep them busy so mom and dad can work late and be social, is a huge concern. The few comments directed to the board about “let me raise my child” really bothered me.
Most of these parents are so uninvolved and uninterested in their children’s’ lives, it makes me squirm.
The initial proposal and discussion of this policy was not done on a whim. The Board of Education and teachers obviously saw an increase in the use of drug use on the rise years ago, and decided to take a much more vigorous stance to save the community.
If you disagree, then show up at these board meetings and be heard; it is becoming more and more apparent that random drug test will be a thing of the future, and I fully respect that.