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LEXINGTON -- Student athletes at West Davidson High School in Lexington could be subject to random drug testing beginning in the fall, under a pilot project proposed by school officials.

It's the first time any high school in the county has proposed testing, which officials say the policy is aimed at ensuring the athletes' safety, not punishing them.

The West Davidson Athletic Booster Club suggested the policy and offered to help pay for testing, which could cost up to $4,000 a year.

"One of the things that we've determined that could be beneficial to everybody and the school in general is to be proactive on the use of drugs and illegal drugs," said Charles Elmore, the school's athletic director.

The school would test urine samples from 10 percent of the student athletes in each sport.

"It would be completely random,” said Tabitha Broadway, the school's principal. “Student numbers would be drawn, not even student names, to test the 10 percent of each team, each season."

Broadway said the policy has two goals.

"Hopefully deter drug use and to enhance the safety of our student athletes," said Broadway.

Tests would look for the presence of alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, steroids and other drugs. A positive test would trigger consequences.

"The first positive test puts the student on probation from their athletic team until they can present us with a negative test," Broadway said.

A second positive test would result in a 30 day suspension from the team.

"The third positive test would result in the student being removed from the team for a year," said Broadway.

Elmore said if the policy was approved by the school board, the objective was not to punish student athletes.

"It is to try and help them and identify problem users,” he said. “We're trying to help, not hurt."

A student athlete under the age of 18 would need the signed consent of parents or guardians to be subject to testing, which would be included in the county's athletic participation form the athlete must present to play.

Broadway said requiring drug testing is not an invasion of privacy or a presumption of guilt.

"I say not,” she said. “To participate in school athletics is a privilege."

The Davidson County School Board got its first look at the policy Monday. The board could vote on the policy at its next meeting on June 30.