The Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education has approved a plan to use drug-sniffing dogs at the district's middle and high schools.
Superintendent Dan Nerad is recommending that district use the dogs in the schools' common areas. He shared a report with board members Monday that found parents surveyed on the issues supported the plan.
Over the last six years, the district has seen a 61 percent increase in the number of students caught with drugs in school.
"The goal, the objective is to minimize the potential for violence. We know that often violence is associated with drug trafficking, and that's the issue that we want to address through this program," said Louis Yudice, a school safety coordinator.
The drug sweeps will happen around three times per semester, and the plan will be evaluated each year.
Monday's vote passed, 5-1.
