WILSON — A recent drug-related incident at Central Plains Junior-Senior High School has led the Central Plains USD 112 board of education to consider a drug testing policy.

At Monday’s board meeting at Wilson School, Greg Clark, superintendent, said the incident happened Jan. 23. It involved one student, vaping and drug paraphernalia. He also said district policy was followed and law enforcement was called. Clark said appropriate punishment has been given. In a telephone interview Tuesday morning, however, Clark declined to comment further on the specifics of the matter.

John Sherman, board attorney, said any drug testing should be done randomly by people who are qualified to do so. He said it would not be a test of the entire student body, but those who participate in extracurricular activities.

Board member Tony Zink said whatever the board decides to do, drug testing is nothing new.

“There are other districts doing this,” he said. “We are late.”

Zink said USD 112 is doing almost nothing now to deter student drug use.

“That’s not working,” he said.

Zink said students are making adult decisions and they must know there are consequences to their actions.

“I’m not suggesting a police state,” he said. “I’m saying it’s time to do something.”

Board president Brad Schiermeyer voiced concerns the district could be overstepping into something that is more the responsibility of a guardian.

Further discussion was tabled until the March meeting, so board members can ask their constituents how they feel about the district having a drug testing policy.

In other business:

• Approval was given to purchase new bleachers for CPJSHS from Pro Bound in Dorrance for $136,000.

• Approval was given to speak with Bushton representatives to see whether they would make an offer to purchase the bleachers at the former Central Plains Middle School building.

• An executive session for negotiations was tabled until the March meeting.

• Lisa Crites was approved as assistant junior high boys’ and girls’ track coach at CPJSHS and Brittany Kratzer was named as head girls junior high track coach at CPJSHS.

• Jill Shoemaker will be senior class sponsor for Wilson High School.

• After an executive session to discuss non-elected personnel (district evaluations), the board approved contracts for the 2021- 22 school year for building administrators ( Jane Oeser at Central Plains Elementary School, Toby Holmes at CPJSHS, and Adam Niedens at Wilson School). Also approved was a contact with Clark as superintendent for the 2022-23 school year.

The next meeting of the Central Plains USD 112 board of education will be at 6 p.m. Monday, March 8, at Central Plains Elementary School in Holyrood.