The Board of Education recognizes alcoholism and drug abuse as treatable illnesses. Such illnesses may impair the performance of professional staff members. When appropriate, the Board may assist such employees in the treatment of those illnesses.

A professional staff member having an illness or other problem relating to the use of alcohol or other drugs will receive the same careful consideration and offer of assistance that is presently extended to professional staff members having any other illness.

The responsibility to correct unsatisfactory job performance or behavior resulting from a suspected health problem rests with the professional staff member. Failure to do so, for whatever reason, shall result in appropriate corrective or disciplinary action as determined by the Board.

No professional staff member will have his/her job security or promotion opportunities jeopardized by his/her request for counseling or referral assistance.

Medical records of professional staff members with alcohol or other drug abuse problems shall be preserved with the same degree of confidence as all other medical records.

Professional staff members who suspect they may have an alcoholism or other drug abuse problem are encouraged to seek counseling and information on a confidential basis by contacting resources available for such service.

This policy applies to all professional staff.

R.C. 2925.01 et seq., 3313.60, 3719.01 et seq., 3793.02
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. 794

Revised 10/27/03