Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, October 5, 1995                   TAG: 9510070012
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: W-7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: S.D. HARRINGTON
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

BOARD GIVES OK FOR WEST SALEM GYM PLANS

Assistant Superintendant Michael Bryant asked the school board Tuesday night to proceed with conceptual drawings of the gymnasium. The board approved the request, and Bryant said drawings could be ready as early as January.

The project will be a part of November's bond issue, Bryant said.

The gymnasium would add classroom space, freeing two classrooms now being used as a cafeteria, Bryant said. West Salem's current gymnasium would be converted into a cafeteria and a multipurpose room.

In other action, the school board took initial steps to bring its drug-screening policy in compliance with expanded federal requirements before the Jan. 1 deadline. The federal laws went into effect in January for companies with more than 50 employees. Salem schools employ fewer than 50 commercial drivers, Bryant said.

Salem's new policy will go into effect in January and will require all school-employed commercial drivers to be tested for drugs and alcohol in the following situations: pre-employment, after an accident, for reasonable suspicion of drug or alcohol abuse or if an employee returns to work after any type of leave.

Random testing also will be enforced, he said. Twenty-five percent of drivers will be tested for alcohol abuse and 50 percent for drug abuse on any given occasion.