The Dolores School Board is considering a policy to use Breathalyzers to insure students are sober before attending school dances.
But the tests can not be random, according to a legal opinion from school board attorney Darryl L. Farrington.
At last year's prom and homecoming, the school district used Breathalyzer tests for the first time, and it was randomly administered to students. No students tested positive.
"I'd like to see alcohol testing continue, but everyone must be tested. We learned it can't be random," said school board member Deanna Truelsen.
School administrators and students support the use of the Breathalyzer because it cuts down on pre-function partying, said superintendent Scott Cooper.
"Everyone was sober, and it was a safer dance," he said. "Their use was a student-led initiative."
Continuing the alcohol testing is being considered for future dances, said board president Linnea Vass.
"We're still researching different ways of doing it, and the focus is on dances that are voluntary attendance," she said. "A lot of schools are doing this, and testing every student who attends makes it fair."
It was reported that officials at the Ignacio school district uses a type of light in the eye at school events to determine if a student is under the influence of alcohol. Also administrators can be better trained to spot physical signs of drug or alcohol use.
Board members Joye McHenry and Truelsen said the board should look at other techniques before adopting a policy.
"The Breathalyzer is a more invasive test; maybe there are other ways," Truelsen said.
A privacy booth will be a part of any future testing.
Cooper said alcohol testing at voluntary school functions is a good deterrent.
"Student acknowledgement that we will be doing this at each dance makes they realize they cannot slip by," he said.
Critics of alcohol testing of students say the practice violates Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches, in part, because they don't carry the weight of suspicion.
But the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1995 and 2002 that such searches of students are reasonable under constitutional standards. The cases focused on searching student athletes for drugs and testing for alcohol.
The court concluded that "the most significant element is that the policy was undertaken in furtherance of the government's responsibilities, under a public school system, as a guardian and tutor of children entrusted to its care."
In other school news:
The board approved a new student group, Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Organizer Cameron Elder said the student-led group offers bible study, open prayers, and group discussion twice a month.
"We are offering guidance and friendship," Elder said. "We're planning safe alternatives after prom, like showing movies, so students don't get caught up in parties."
jmimiaga@cortezjournal.com