A local contingent of clergy in Bellville is showing their support for the Clear Fork Valley Local School Board's proposed random drug testing policy.

Representatives of the "Shepherds of the Valley," local clergy group and the Richland Community Family Coalition addressed the school board at their organizational meeting Thursday night.

Clear Fork Alliance Church senior pastor Mike Stine presented a correspondence to the board outlining why the groups support the implementation of a random-drug testing policy for students in grades 7-12.
 

The group believes random drug testing can help reduce the use of illegal drugs.

"If the students get started down the drug path in high school it's going to ruin their lives. It can ruin their careers, prevent them from getting jobs, getting into college or military service," Pastor Stine said.

"Our board of education, a number of community members and coaches have been discussing this topic since October of 2012 and we're still discussing it," Clear Fork Valley Local Schools Supt. Matthew Dill said.

"There is a draft version of the proposed policy that has been put together but at this time no action has been taken to implement it. The board will continue further discussions on the policy," Dill said.

In other business, several concerned parents asked the board to consider placing an armed guard inside the schools in the wake of the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Dill said the administration has been meeting with local law enforcement officials and emergency responders discussing effective strategies to improve school safety for students and staff.

The board also approved renaming "The Clear Fork Weight Room" to "The Paul Yarman Strength and Conditioning Complex."

The board also re-elected Gary Mathews as president and Julie Doup as vice president.