KHSD drug dog plan approved
| Tuesday, Jan 06 2009 01:40 AM
Last Updated Friday, Mar 27 2009 01:23 PM
A drug-sniffing dog could be on patrol in Kern high schools as soon as mid-February, following a decision by the Kern High School District trustees to move ahead with a canine drug-detection program.
A proposed language change in the policy was withdrawn at the last minute.
Attorneys for the district had asked that the word "deterrent" be taken out of the drug policy to avoid legal questions about privacy — but the issue proved to be a moot point because the district policy does not include backpack searches.
"It really is a deterrent program. That's why I was sensitive not to have a word change," trustee Ken Mettler said after the meeting.
"I don't want someone to say 'they're not finding any contraband'... our goal isto be a deterrent," said Mettler, who said the district was following exact guidelines proven by the courts and currently in use in other districts.
Jeff Locke, a KHSD English teacher who ran for a board position in the November election, spoke out against the program, questioning whether program records on students would influence whether a student is accepted to college.
Mettler suggested the idea that the district hire a drug-detecting company last year.
Assistant Superintendent Joe Thompson outlined a schedule for the program: A letter will be sent home to parents explaining the program; students will be notified; and the first sweep at a high school could come in five to six weeks.
There will be no cost for the district to use the trained Belgian Shepard Malinois drug-sniffing dog team. The dog team is part of the Kern County Probation Department, which staffs offices at KHSD campuses.
The drug-search policy includes lockers and searches of cars in campus parking lots; individuals will not be searched.
Delano, Taft, Garces and Bakersfield Christian highs employ drug-sniffing dogs, as do Fresno and Los Angeles.
Last year, Delano High Principal Richard Smithey said dogs had helped lower his school's drug-related expulsions by 50 percent.
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," said Mettler. "School is for school. Keep the contraband out of school."
