Bradley schools add ethics panel

CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- The Bradley County Board of Education now has an ethics committee.

Chairman David Kelley appointed school board members Terry McGuire and Charlie Rose and retired judge C. Van Deacon to act as a committee to investigate ethics complaints against school system officials.

"I felt the reputations of these three are impeccable," Mr. Kelley said Thursday during the board's monthly meeting.

Mr. Kelley urged the public, the media and colleagues to bring any ethical concerns to the committee.

"If you believe there are ethical violations, the proper way of handling it is not the rumor mill," he said.

But he cautioned that no one should use the committee "to promote their own agendas."

Anyone who makes a complaint is protected by law from harassment, he said, and the committee's results will be public.

The board also is considering drug and alcohol testing for students.

"Bradley County Schools has not previously implemented a drug testing policy," board member Christy Critchfield said.

The school system years ago considered adopting random drug-testing for students who participate in extracurricular activities, but never acted.

The proposed new policy was prepared by the school board's attorney, Ms. Critchfield said. It would allow drug tests when school officials have reason to believe students may be using drugs or alcohol. It will be voted on next month.