On Monday night several individuals once again lobbied the Bangor Area School Board to adopt a random drug testing policy for district employees.

Dawn Riso, mother of former Bangor Area High School teacher Gina Riso, was in attendance during the meeting, but spoke little, as others, wearing white T-shirts with a photo of the deceased Gina Riso, took up her cause.

Gina Riso, died in December 2009 after overdosing on heroin in the apartment of former Bangor Area School District assistant wrestling coach Brad Washburn’s apartment.

After a few minutes of heated discussion and argument, former Northampton County Councilman Ron Angle asked Board President Pam Colton for the chance to speak to concerns that any potential mandatory drug policy the board would adopt could face potential litigation.

“Sometimes you just have to do what is right,” Angle said to school board members of mandatory drug testing. “Sometimes you just have to let the cards fall where they may.

“What is the value you put on someone’s life?” he asked school board members in an attempt to persuade them to adopt the mandatory testing. “…Do the right thing.”
Riso and her cadre vowed to come back until mandatory drug testing was implemented in the district.