Crete Public Schools implements random drug testing after ‘concerning behavior’

CRETE, Neb. (KLKN) – A new drug testing policy is causing some controversy in Crete Public Schools.

As students head back to class, there’s a new form to sign.

Students involved in competitive after-school activities will be required to enroll in a random drug test this school year.

The board passed the policy in July and held a meeting on Monday night with open public comment.

Superintendent Josh McDowell said this decision didn’t come out of nowhere.

“I wish we weren’t having this conversation about student drug use and alcohol, but we know it’s true, and we know it’s happening right here,” he said. “And we just want to do something about it.”

Kristen Eggerling, a mom of two kids enrolled in CPS, said she was shocked when her son brought her the form.

“It was a big surprise,” she said. “He came home from football practice with a form to sign, that was the consent form, and I had heard nothing about it.”

The form is required for any middle and high school students involved in sports, theater, speech and more.

CPS is partnering with a third-party company called Sport Safe Testing.

Every month, a random group of 15 to 20 students will be chosen to give a urine sample to be drug tested.

“We’re not trying to do anything more than create a drug-free learning environment, hopefully provide early intervention for some families, and just create an overall better academic environment for all kids,” McDowell said.

He said if a student’s test comes back positive, they will face a 10-day activity suspension, which could be reduced to five days if the student takes a drug and alcohol course.

But he said the district’s goal is not to kick kids out of sports or other activities.

He said this has been something the board has been talking about for a year and a half now after witnessing concerning behavior in their schools.

But Eggerling said there should have been a conversation with parents before the district took this step.

The main thing her kids see at schools is kids using THC vapes in their cars.

And she’s worried that random testing might discourage kids from going out for activities.

“They have a lot of trouble getting kids to go out for sports – certain sports, especially,” Eggerling said.

But McDowell said the district hasn’t seen any significant drops in their numbers for fall sports.

“For us, it’s about early intervention,” he said. “And if we can catch it there and get students and families the support they need, then maybe we can help students have a more successful career and life after high school as well.”