CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Only one of about 50 people who spoke up supports a more stringent employee drug testing policy in Kanawha County schools, according to comments on the county's Web site.

The proposed policy, which would randomly test teachers, coaches, principals, school aides, counselors and top county administrators, is posted online on the Board of Education's Web site. Board members will vote on the policy on Oct. 15.

Of the 55 comments posted online, only the first one supports a new drug-testing policy. A few comments are repetitive.

"The children/young adults that we teach in grades K-12 need healthy, clear-thinking teachers and support staff around them, not drug users," wrote Leska Foster, who described herself as an employee of the school system and a parent with children in school.

The vast majority of people slammed the proposal. They cited an invasion of privacy and constitutional rights, financial concerns and a misguided paranoia that many teachers use drugs.

Some argued that the school board already cannot pay for field trips, new technology, learning materials and other services and random drug tests would be a tremendous waste of money.

At least one compared it to the Salem witch trials.

"Why is the current drug/alcohol policy not satisfactory? IF the policy that we currently have in place were applied as it should be, this would not be an issue," wrote Pamela R. Woods.

In December, board members unanimously passed a drug-testing policy that did not allow random drug tests of teachers, principals, coaches, aides and others when they seek a promotion or transfer. They new proposal would allow that.

Others believe a new drug policy might chase teachers away from Kanawha County.

"Why does Kanawha County need to be the leader in drug testing?" wrote one unnamed person. "Is drug abuse worse in [Kanawha] County than Chicago, NYC, Detroit, and DC?"

The proposed policy, which would randomly test teachers, coaches, principals, school aides, counselors and top county administrators, is posted online on the Board of Education's Web site. Board members will vote on the policy on Oct. 15.

Of the 55 comments posted online, only the first one supports a new drug-testing policy. A few comments are repetitive.

"The children/young adults that we teach in grades K-12 need healthy, clear-thinking teachers and support staff around them, not drug users," wrote Leska Foster, who described herself as an employee of the school system and a parent with children in school.

The vast majority of people slammed the proposal. They cited an invasion of privacy and constitutional rights, financial concerns and a misguided paranoia that many teachers use drugs.

Some argued that the school board already cannot pay for field trips, new technology, learning materials and other services and random drug tests would be a tremendous waste of money.

At least one compared it to the Salem witch trials.

"Why is the current drug/alcohol policy not satisfactory? IF the policy that we currently have in place were applied as it should be, this would not be an issue," wrote Pamela R. Woods.

In December, board members unanimously passed a drug-testing policy that did not allow random drug tests of teachers, principals, coaches, aides and others when they seek a promotion or transfer. They new proposal would allow that.

Others believe a new drug policy might chase teachers away from Kanawha County.

"Why does Kanawha County need to be the leader in drug testing?" wrote one unnamed person. "Is drug abuse worse in [Kanawha] County than Chicago, NYC, Detroit, and DC?"

Board member Pete Thaw, the leading advocate for the new policy, said the opposition's arguments are weak.

He said the drug tests are relatively inexpensive, but referred comment to Carol Hamric, administrative assistant in charge of human resources, who was not immediately available Tuesday afternoon.

Thaw expects a legal battle, but doubts it will be that costly, either.

"The people of this county deserve to send their children to a drug-free workplace and we're not offering that today," Thaw said.

Thaw believes he has the votes to pass a new drug-testing policy, which has fallen by 3-2 votes at least twice. Board member Bill Raglin has previously voted with Thaw, while Jim Crawford, board President Becky Jordon and former member Barbara Welch voted down the policy.

Earlier, Thaw put his faith in new board member Robin Rector, who replaced Welch. But Rector indicated this summer she is not likely to vote for a random drug-testing policy any time soon.

Crawford might be Thaw's best hope for a third vote. He said this spring that he recognizes a lot of county residents favor random drug testing. He's still weighing his vote later this month.

"I haven't reached a drop-dead decision on it. ... It's still open for discussion," he said.

Crawford said he believes most of the comments online came from employees affiliated with two teachers unions: the Kanawha Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers in Kanawha County.

"Our school system should not spend our valuable resources on random drug testing," wrote AFT-Kanawha President Fred Albert. "Besides, can we really depend on confidential medical information remaining a private matter. I doubt it."

Reach Davin White at davinwh...@wvgazette.com or 348-1254.