Sister asks board to examine school's drug-testing and reporting practices after student tested positive

A New Albany graduate spoke during public comment March 10, urging the school board to review district practice after her younger sister failed multiple school-administered drug tests.

The speaker, Clara Bishop, said her sister, a Floyd Central High School junior, tested positive three times—most recently for five different narcotics—and was expelled for appearing at school under the influence. Bishop said that after staff and counselors were informed of substance-abuse conditions in both of the student’s homes, the district did not notify the Department of Child Services (DCS) or provide information on programs and facilities that might help the student.

Clara Bishop said she had told a Floyd Central teacher about concerns at home—her sister’s mother was incarcerated on felony drug charges and their father was abusing substances—and that the teacher had informed counselors. Bishop said she expected counselors to report suspected abuse to DCS but was told DCS was not notified. She said the district gave the student a classroom schedule to keep credits but did not, to her knowledge, provide contact information about treatment programs or make a DCS referral.

Superintendent Dr. Madison responded at the meeting by thanking Bishop for bringing the matter to the board’s attention and asking whether the superintendent’s office could follow up with the parents. Bishop said she is not a custodial parent and thus could not act as a guardian for the follow-up herself. The superintendent acknowledged the concern and said staff would follow up.

Ending: Bishop asked the board to review and possibly revise the district drug-testing policy and improve communication protocols so families receive information about services and appropriate agency referrals when students test positive.