Congratulations to the Lawrence school board for sticking with its plan to require students to pass a Breathalyzer test before attending school-sponsored dances.

After calling for district officials to crack down on intoxicated students at the parties, some parents thought the policy the board came up with was too harsh. Board member Craig Grant cast the lone vote against the policy because he thought the testing of all students at the door was an invasion of their privacy and the problem could be handled by testing only students who appeared to have been drinking.

Grant’s concern is understandable, but this is a case where the district needs to be safe, rather than sorry. The Breathalyzer may seem insulting to some students, but testing everyone creates a situation that is fair, predictable and probably has the best chance of changing what reportedly has been an unsavory and inappropriate atmosphere at some recent events.

Perhaps there’s a better solution out there, but the policy the board approved Monday night seems like a valid strategy to try to deal with a troublesome problem the district can’t afford to ignore.