By Sean Ruppert, Staff Writer
HIGHTOWN The East Windsor Regional Board of Education has approved a policy that will allow administrators to perform alcohol breath tests on students at school-sponsored events, such as dances.
Superintendent Ron Bolandi has said the policy arose from a district student’s death from alcohol poisoning as well as serious automobile accidents involving intoxicated teenagers.
Thomas Carroll, 16, was found dead from alcohol poisoning on Jan. 1, 2008.
The policy, approved unanimously Monday, will allow the school administration to test the entire group attending an event, a pre-determined random selection or individuals based on reasonable suspicion by the staff.
A staff member and an administrator must both be present when a student is tested, and both must be trained on how to use the test. Mr. Bolandi said the test is simple to administer, and that it should only take about a half-an-hour to train administrators and staff members on how to use it.
When administering the test, the school officials must complete an observation checklist of the student’s appearance and behavior.
Any students who tests positive will be detained for 20 minutes and then re-tested. Students who test positive the second time as well will be denied entry and held until their parents can pick them up. They also will be subject to school disciplinary procedures, but police and judicial authorities will not be involved unless a student is found to be otherwise breaking the law.
If a student were to attempt to leave the event after a positive test, police would be immediately notified, Mr. Bolandi said.
However, if a student’s second test come back negative, he will be detained for another 20 minutes and tested a third time. If that test is negative as well, the student will be granted entry to the event.

