School District of Colfax
Bylaws & Policies
 

4162 - CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE AND ALCOHOL POLICY FOR EMPLOYEES THAT TRANSPORT STUDENTS

Purpose

The Board of Education believes that the safety of students while being transported to and from school or school activities is of utmost importance and is the primary responsibility of the driver of the school vehicle. To fulfill such a responsibility, each driver, as well as others who perform safety-sensitive functions with District vehicles, must be mentally and physically alert at all times while on duty. In addition, the Board recognizes that a drug-free and alcohol-free school and work environment is vital to workplace and school safety and to the quality of the District’s educational services.

To that end, the Board has established this policy, which includes an alcohol and controlled substances testing program. The Board expects all Drivers to comply with Board Policy 4122.01 on Drug-Free Workplace which prohibits the possession, use, sale, or distribution of alcohol and any controlled substance on school property at all times.

Further, the Board concurs with the Federal requirement that all Drivers should be free of any influence of alcohol or controlled substance while on duty. Therefore, participation in the alcohol and controlled substances testing program is a condition of employment for all Drivers.

Covered Employees

This policy covers all commercial driver's license (CDL) holders and regular and substitute bus drivers who operate a commercial motor vehicle while on duty.

Definitions

For purposes of this policy and the guidelines associated with the policy, the following definitions shall apply:

 

A.

The term alcohol means the intoxicating agent in beverage alcohol, ethyl alcohol or other low molecular weight alcohols, including methyl or isopropyl alcohol. This term is a volume breath expressed in terms of grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath as indicated by an evidential breath test as described herein.

   
 

B.

The term controlled substance includes any illegal drug, the possession or use of which is unlawful pursuant to Federal, State and local laws and regulations, and any drug that is being used illegally, such as a prescription drug that was not legally obtained or not used for its intended purposes or in its prescribed quantity. The term does not include any legally-obtained prescription drug used for its intended purpose in its prescribed quantity unless such use would impair the individual's ability to safely perform safety-sensitive functions. This term includes, but is not limited to, marijuana metabolites, cocaine metabolites, amphetamines, opiate metabolites, phencyclidine (PCP).

   
 

C.

The term controlled substance abuse includes excessive use of alcohol as well as prescribed drugs not being used for prescribed purposes, in a prescribed manner, or in the prescribed quantity.

   
 

D.

The term safety-sensitive functions includes waiting to be dispatched, inspecting equipment, servicing, driving, loading or unloading District vehicles, as well as repairing, obtaining assistance, or remaining in attendance upon a disabled District vehicle. This term further includes any period in which an individual is actually performing, ready to perform, or immediately available to perform any safety-sensitive function.

   
 

E.

The term Driver means all CDL holders and regular and substitute bus drivers who operate a commercial motor vehicle while on duty, as well as other staff members who may drive students in District vehicles or inspect, service, and condition District vehicles.

   
 

F.

The term while on duty means all time from the time the Driver begins to work or is required to be in readiness for work until the time s/he is relieved from work and all responsibility for performing work.

Procedures

The District Administrator shall establish a drug and alcohol testing program whereby each driver is tested for the presence of alcohol in his/her system as well as for the presence of the following controlled substances:

 

A.

Marijuana

   
 

B.

Cocaine

   
 

C.

Opiates

   
 

D.

Amphetamines

   
 

E.

Phencyclidine (PCP)

The alcohol and controlled substances tests are to be conducted in accordance with Federal and State regulations:

 

A.

prior to employment (Controlled Substances only);

   
 

B.

reasonable suspicion;

   
 

C.

upon return to duty after any alcohol or drug rehabilitation;

   
 

D.

after any accident;

   
 

E.

on a random basis; and

   
 

F.

on a follow-up basis.

Any CDL staff member who tests positive as defined in the guidelines shall be:

 

A.

immediately prohibited from driving any District vehicle or conducting a safety sensitive function;

   
 

B.

subject to discipline, up to and including discharge, in accordance with District guidelines.

49 C.F.R. 382.101 et seq.

© Neola 2013