LINDEN &8212; As Linden City Schools continue their transition with a new interim superintendent at the helm, new policies and grant funds may make their way into the system in the near future.

At Monday&8217;s meeting, members of the board of education got their first look at a new drug policy for all four of the Linden schools. Interim Superintendent Scott Collier said the policy has been in the works for quite some time, with all the principals in agreement about moving forward with it.

In the past, Collier said, costs may have prevented the school from laying out guidelines for testing, but now testing supplies have become relatively inexpensive.

After hearing Collier&8217;s comments, the board unanimously voted to review the draft of the policy. Collier said he plans to hold a series of public readings so parents can give their input on the policy before it goes into effect.

Other possible upgrades for the system may come in the form of grant money. Collier said he recently completed three grant applications, one of which would go toward the Linden High School gymnasium. In addition to writing a proposal Collier said he included photos to illustrate the current condition of the gymnasium.

Linden High School principal Timothy Thurman reported ACT scores are up among their advanced placement students. Also, many LHS students have already received college acceptances and scholarship offers.

In other business, the board:

Accepted the proposed school calendar for academic year 2008-2009, with the possibility of changing a professional development day on Nov. 10.

Approved a textbook committee for Reading/Literature and Driver&8217;s Education books. The committee consists of Angela Scales, Laquanda Brown, Dawn Sheffield, Chonda Griffith, Polly Raymond, Wylene Jones, Denise Thomas, Linda Hudson, Marquita Washington, Broughton Rogers, Mitzi Gates and Pamela McPherson.