Lampeter-Strasburg school board members debated if a drug-testing program should continue on Monday and decided to table the matter.

The district began a random blood-testing program in the 2009-10 school year. Students who participated in extra-curricular activities or parked at school were required to sign a statement that they would be willing to be subjected to random drug testing.

Superintendent Kevin Peart said Monday that the L-S solicitor has advised a change in the policy based on lawsuits in other areas. The change includes testing only students who park at school or those who participate in sports. Peart said a safety connection had been made between use of drugs and those activities.

Peart shared a story about a student who cried after being cleared of any drug use by testing. She cried because she quit doing drugs to participate in sports, Peart said.

The superintendent and board member Melissa Herr recommended continuing random drug testing.

However, board member Pat Pontz said the program took students away from class for too long. A report given to the board indicates students missed between 38 to 125 minutes of class.

She also said testing invaded students' privacy when they are asked to provide proof that they are taking a prescription medicine that gave a false positive result for an illegal drug. She suggested more parent and student education instead.

Board member Merrill Spahn said the potential hiring of a school resource officer and budgeting for 2013-14 could effect the decision.

After the meeting, Peart said an SRO, or police officer in schools, is a position the board asked the administration to explore.

"I would prefer to put (a decision on drug testing) on hold to see what happens with positions and budgets," Spahn said.

In 2009-10, one student had a confirmed positive result out of 240 tested.

In 2010-11, two students out of 280 tested positive for drugs, with the result confirmed by the lab.

In the 2011-12 school year, three out of 140 students tested had a confirmed positive result from the lab.

Peart pointed out that the statistics were not comparing apples to apples, because in the 2011-12 year about half as many student tested.

In other business, parent Mark Sellers asked the board to keep 2013 graduation on Friday, June 7. He said snow days, some of which produce no snow, should not cause students to have to change plans after graduation.

Peart said the 181st day would be Monday, June 9.

The topic will come up again at an April meeting.

Also, the board discussed the format for a public meeting slated for 7 p.m. March 25 in the high school cafeteria. Peart encouraged the public to attend the meeting, which will include a presentation and small-group discussion on key questions.