Rob Collins Simi Valley school board member Rob Collins said his fellow trustees are "not ready to focus on our students" during Tuesday's meeting at City Hall.

Collins wants the district to consider using breathalyzers at school functions, but colleagues Debbie Sandland and Janice DiFatta argued that the district needs to focus all its energy on managing the budget crisis.

"To me, this is a basic safety issue," Collins said at the meeting. "Breathalyzers are a big deterrent. If students hear they might be tested, it could save lives and prevent tragedies."

Although she said she sees the benefits of breathalyzers, DiFatta didn't want the district to spend time or money when SV Unified employees might lose their jobs.

"I don't see an urgency (for breathalyzers)," DiFatta said. "This is something we can put off. I'm not trying to put down the idea. Now is not the time."

Sandland said the board needs to focus on the budget crisis.

At that point, the discussion became heated.

"We can't let a budget crisis threaten the safety of our students," Collins said. "To turn our backs on them is unacceptable. The time is now."

Sandland countered, "I'm getting insulted. I do care about safety."

Collins had the support of Jeanne Davis, but board president Eric Lundstrom wanted to wait until after the May 19 elections—when the schools across California will learn whether they have to make more cuts— to bring up the issue again. Collins was "surprised" that Lundstrom, who had the deciding vote on the issue, went the other way.

Collins, a teacher for more than 30 years and the leading votegetter in the most recent election, said using the budget as an excuse to not provide breathalyzers was "disappointing."

"We'll be dealing with budget issues for the next three years. Are we going to set a date to talk about this or are we going to wait three years?" Collins said. "This board is not ready to focus on our students. Are we going to wait until May 19? Are we going to wait for the 2012 elections? Are we still focused on our three goals (student achievement, parent involvement and attention to at-risk middle school students)? . . . This board is not ready to focus on those goals."

Collins and Sandland explained the impassioned exchange the next day.

"I was a little disappointed," Collins told the Acorn. "I didn't think it's a budget issue; it's more of a safety issue. . . . As a trustee, we're entrusted to do whatever we can to make schools as safe a place as possible. If we can keep kids from drinking and driving, I think we need to do it.

"I have a great working relationship with this board. There's no tension. I'm a little disappointed. But I respect their opinions," he continued.

Sandland said she's willing to support alcohol testing for students at school events—just not until the budget issues are resolved.

"I don't think breathalyzers should take priority over the budget," Sandland said. "Rob needs to be patient. We all need to be patient and see how we land on our feet after we get through this budget crisis."