Board deletes student drug testing policy, approves revisions to promotion, testing and conduct policies

At its June 10 meeting the Lexington County School District 1 board approved a package of policy changes that included deleting the board's student drug testing policy and adopting revisions to instructional and conduct policies.

Administration recommended removing the student drug testing program from policy (policy JJIE and its regulation) because the district elected not to fund the program in the upcoming budget cycle. "Based on our research, very, very few districts across the state are doing this," said Cooper, introducing the first reading; the district moved to align policy with current budget priorities by striking the program from policy.

Trustees also approved policy updates and new/renamed policies tied to curriculum and state law changes, including language reflecting the Read to Succeed Act changes (Act 114, 2024):

- IKE / IKER (promotion, retention and acceleration): administration clarified credit thresholds and alignment with state accountability. The board approved recommended language that sets promotion credit guidance intended to keep students on track for graduation while allowing targeted interventions. Administration said the recommended approach (five credits to promote from 9th to 10th with follow‑up to meet 12/18 credit checkpoints for later grades) is designed to keep students engaged and allow targeted recovery.

- IHCA (summer school): minor clarifications to the number of credits students may earn over summer were made and approved.

- ILB / ILBR and ILBB / ILBBR (district test security and state program assessments): revisions reflect Read to Succeed requirements and updated assessment procedures; no substantive changes since introduction.

- JICG (tobacco and nicotine use by students): board adopted a revised conduct policy addressing tobacco, e‑cigarettes and alternative nicotine products. Cooper clarified that drug violations (for example, vapes that contain controlled substances) remain governed by the district's drug and alcohol policy (JICH), and that the tobacco/nicotine policy is intended to address possession and use of nicotine or look‑alike devices.

- EEAEC (student conduct on buses): policy recodification and consolidation were approved; administrators and transportation staff will include bus conduct rules in handbooks and apply school discipline matrices for enforcement.

Board members discussed the disciplinary ladder for nicotine/vape incidents and whether consequences should be in‑school or out‑of‑school suspension; administration explained the policy's intent is deterrence and noted drug violations follow the district drug policy where appropriate. No member raised a formal objection; each policy motion carried by voice vote.

The board also heard an introduction of a revised curriculum management policy tied to the curriculum effectiveness audit and planned a formal reading in July and an approval vote in August, giving trustees and staff time to align the management plan with the written policy and to finalize language about review cycles and professional learning.