Parent raises privacy and policy concerns about student drug testing, says MediMerge is intermediary

During the public comment period Courtney Gaynor raised concerns about the district’s student drug‑testing practices and the handling of students’ test information.

Gaynor said parents are directed to a specific clinic for testing and that MediMerge functions as an intermediary while Quest Diagnostics conducts the laboratory testing. She asked whether there are budgetary caps or alternative clinics parents can use, suggested allowing parents to bill their own insurance, and called for clearer disclosure of procedures and privacy protections.

“I feel like we need to pause a little bit here and really think about, are there sufficient disclosures about this process?” Gaynor asked. She described students being detained for inspections, an apparent practice of staff entering restrooms when there is suspicion of drug use, and the possible involvement of police in some cases; she said these processes can be traumatic for students and that privacy policies should be communicated clearly to families.

Board members acknowledged the comment and directed that written materials are available and that some policy material is on the district website. The superintendent did not provide a step‑by‑step policy clarification during the meeting and said staff would follow up; Gaynor asked for explicit written information about per‑exam costs and privacy protections.

Next step: Gaynor said she would return at a future meeting and the board said it would take the comment under advisement. The district’s publicly posted drug‑testing and privacy policies and any contractual arrangements with MediMerge or testing vendors should be consulted to verify the process and data‑handling practices described in the comment.