The Mayo Clinic will be conducting a survey with Austin High School students to find ways to help teen smokers stop smoking.

Some students who choose to participate in the survey will use computers to answer questions when going through the intervention, compared to others who will talk with a counselor for brief office intervention meetings.

A portion of the students will be give the drug bupropion and others will be given a placebo.

The studies are being funded by the National Institute of Health and the National Center Institute. High school principal Joe Brown said there will be no cost to the school.

"There are times when we are contacted by students who sincerely want to quit smoking," Brown said. "My hope is if there’s any way we can help them stop smoking, we would be able to do so."

The board unanimously approved the program.

School board members also:

n Approved an extended field trip for the Austin varsity softball team from March 10-15, 2003. The team will travel to Orlando, Fla. and practice and participate in scrimmages at the Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World.

The students will not miss any school, as the trip will be taken during a spring break. Also, funds will be raised for the trip through fundraisers and donations. The board unanimously approved the request.

n Unanimously approved the United Auto Workers’ (custodial/maintenance unit) 2002-04 working agreement.

Dan Fields can be reached at 434-2230 or by e-mail at dan.fields@austindailyherald.com