Highland HS Principal Proposes Alternative To Drug Testing Athletes

Monterey, VA – In lieu of expensive drug testing for athletic teams, Highland high school principal Kelly Wilmore came to the School Board this week with a new proposal.

“Cost as an issue is the main problem we’re going to have with this” says Wilmore. “If we had three teams of boys and two teams of girls with 10 each, you’re talking $5000.00 at least. One alternative we’ve come up with, because of funding, is to have a contract drawn up with parents, athletes, and the coaches.”

This contract would lay out standards of behavior for athletic team members.

“Basically a rule of conduct” says Wilmore. “Not just the school rules, but something pertaining to athletes, making sure they’re committed to the team.

Mr. Wilmore plans to convene a committee of coaches and parents to draw up a draft contract for discussion by the Board at the December meeting. In other news, the Blue Ribbon school award ceremony is coming up soon.

“We’re going to depart on Sunday, November 14th for the Blue Ribbon ceremony in Washington, DC” he says. “Ms. Ralston has been chosen because she’s got the most years. We will have a community celebration on Friday, December 3rd at 2 o’clock in the gymnasium to celebrate our award.”

Wilmore says everyone is invited to come to the celebration. After a recent field trip to the navy base in Pendleton County, some students have expressed interest in the navy, so recruiters have been visiting Monterey and one senior has signed enlistment papers for next year. Ms. Blum reported on recent and upcoming events at the elementary school starting with the book fair.

“Mrs. Vance collected $754.00 for the library, an excellent job well organized” says Blum. “Our Holloween carnival, under the leadership of Lisa Robertson, was a huge success on Thursday night. Our Lego League team competes this Saturday at JMU [James Madison University]. On November 11th,we will have our Veterans Day breakfast and program, with the breakfast beginning at 8:15 and a program following at 8:45; all Veterans are welcome.”

The Board approved coaches for the basketball teams including for varsity girls Caroline Botkin, middle school girls Kathy Beverage, varsity boys Mike Warf and assistant coach Brian Malcolm, junior varsity boys Curtie Gutshall and middle school boys Kenny Hiner.

The next meeting of the Highland County School Board will be Monday, December 6, at 7 PM in the High School Library