The debate whether a Hudson Valley school district should be able to make suspected intoxicated students take breathalyzer tests will continue.

Nyack school officials may vote to make students take breathalyzer tests if faculty suspects they are drunk.

Tuesday night, The Nyack Board of Education met for the 5th time on the subject. Parents, students, board members, and Superintendent James Montesano discussed the topic for nearly two hours before the issue was tabled.

“This is not a response to any incident or increase we are seeing in the use of alcohol in our students,” Montesano told Hudson Valley Post. “This is a proactive and consistent approach to keep our students safe and healthy.”

Under the proposal, students showing signs of being drunk could get two breath tests within 10 minutes. Students could be tested in school, at dances, or at school sporting events.

“It’s not a whole not different from our current policy.” Montesano said. “Under the current policy if a faculty member suspects a student is intoxicated they will bring the student to a relocation and question the student. If the student admits to it, or we feel the student is under the influence, our code of conduct policy kicks in. The child is turned over to the parents and we make sure the child receives school counseling. Typically a short-term suspension goes with it.”

Montesano says the only add-on to the new policy would be to ask the student to take a breathalyzer test. “This would allow a student to demonstrate their innocence rather than their guilt.”

If the policy is passed Montesano stresses students won’t be forced to take a breathalyzer test. However, if the student refuses, the school will assume that the student is under the influence and in violation of the schools alcohol policy.

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