5530.01 - ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, AND OTHER DRUGS

Girard City School District

Bylaws & Policies

5530.01 - ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, AND OTHER DRUGS
INTRODUCTION

Because the use of alcohol and other drugs is negative to performance and the health and safety of students, it cannot be tolerated. Students who attend the Girard City Schools must adhere to this policy and remain free of nicotine, alcohol, and other drugs and hereby agree to do so. It is imperative that students and their parents/guardians read this policy carefully and become aware of its contents. This policy is binding on all students for whom it is intended whether actions take place on or off school premises or board property.

CORE TEAM

The high school Core Team is a body of teachers trained in student assistance programs designed to aid students. The administration shall refer cases to the Core Team for options in dealing with students who are in violation of this policy. Once the administration determines a course of action, the student must complete that course of action. Failure to complete the directive(s) will result in immediate exclusion from all extra-curricular activities until the directive is fulfilled except where otherwise stated.

Students in the Girard City School District agree to the following:

	A.	Students will not sell, distribute, use, or possess any mind-altering chemicals, or performance-enhancing substances, including alcohol or other drugs and shall not make such substances available to others or enable such substances to be made available to others.
	B.	Students will not sell, distribute, use, or possess tobacco products of any kind.
	C.	Students will not misuse over the counter or prescription medication.
	D.	Students shall not attend an event held primarily for students where alcohol/other drug use is taking place.

A two (2) year accumulation of offenses will be recorded. If a student has no additional offense(s) during this period, his/her record will be absolved, except for selling or distributing tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs.

Consequences listed below which are not completed by the end of a school year will carry over to the next school year. Students who commit an offense during the summer months and participate in a fall activity will serve their suspension effective with the first official day of practice (OHSAA).

ENFORCEMENT OF THE POLICY

The conditions of this policy shall be enforced by school administration, whose responsibility it will be to reasonably conclude that a violation occurred. The administration’s conclusion will be based on one (1) or more of the following credible sources:

	A.	First hand knowledge of a violation by school employees/volunteers.
	B.	A written police report prepared by the officer on the scene and completed within twenty-four (24) hours of the incident.
	C.	Interview of the student who is suspected of violating the policy.

An appeal of the decision of the administration must be first lodged within forty-eight (48) hours with the building principal and then within twenty-four (24) hours of notice of the principal’s decision with the Superintendent.

CONSEQUENCES FOR VIOLATION(S) OF THIS POLICY

Offense(s)/Violation(s) = possession, attempt to possess or purchase, use, distribution, selling, transporting, or being in attendance at an event where underage possession, use, or planned use is/has taking/taken place.

Attendance at an Event Held Primarily for Students Where Alcohol/Other Drugs are Present or Being Used
First Offense

The student and his/her parent will meet with the building principal and head coach/advisor (if the student is a participant). A letter of warning will be sent by the principal to the student's parent(s) and a copy will be placed in the pupil's Student Assistance Program file.

Second Offense

Third Offense and Subsequent Offenses

Alcohol and/or Tobacco Use, Possession, Purchase, Attempting to Purchase

First Offense

Second Offense

* The term "within the school year" excludes summer break between the end of the school year and the start of official practice for fall sports.

Third Offense

Fourth and Subsequent Offenses

Other Drug Use, Possession, Purchase, Attempting to Purchase; Hosting an event where alcohol/other drug use/possession occurs
First Offense

The student and his/her parent will meet with the building principal and head coach/advisor (if the student is a participant). The student will be suspended from participating in and attending extra-curricular events for a period of forty-five (45) calendar days (within the school year) and must complete the recommendation of the CORE Team before s/he is permitted to participate in or attend extra-curricular activities. This may include community service. The student may try-out for a team during the suspension period but may only practice regularly after serving twenty (20) days of the suspension. The principal will send a letter to the parents stating the offense and consequences.

Second Offense

The student and his/her parent will meet with the building principal and head coach/advisor (if the student is a participant). The student will be suspended from participating in and attending extra-curricular events for a period of one (1) year and must complete the recommendation of the CORE Team. This may include community service. The student may apply for reinstatement after ninety (90) calendar days. A student who meets the conditions of reinstatement may be reinstated. The principal will send a letter to the parents stating the offense and consequences.

Third and Subsequent Offenses

*Note: If a student violates this policy a second time but with different drugs (alcohol, tobacco, other drugs) see second offense for other drugs. For example, if a student gets caught with alcohol first and then later with drugs, the consequences shall be the second offense for other drugs.

SELLING OR DISTRIBUTION OF ALCOHOL OR OTHER DRUGS

The student and his/her parent will meet with the building principal and head coach/advisor (if the student is a participant). The student shall be immediately dismissed from the team or organization for which s/he participates and shall be suspended from participating in and/or attending any extra-curricular event/activity for the remainder of his/her career at Girard Junior-Senior High School. Appropriate law enforcement agencies will be notified of the student's actions. The student may apply for reinstatement, in accordance with the conditions below, one time, after a period of one (1) calendar year. Participation will be considered only after the conditions listed below are met and law enforcement agencies have determined the student's guilt/innocence and meted out punishment, if guilty. In addition, any recommendation(s) of the CORE Team and administration must be met or the dismissal will be final. The principal will send a letter to the parents stating the offense and consequences.

Conditions for Reinstatement (including but not limited to the following):

	A.	The recommendation(s) of the CORE Team and administration are fulfilled.
	B.	The student tests negative for the drug used in his/her violation each time the random test is administered.
	C.	The student has no disciplinary offenses during the time of his/her suspension.
	D.	Other conditions deemed appropriate by the administration.

Other Administrative Action

The requirements of this policy are in addition to any suspension or expulsion from school pursuant to Board Policy 5530, the Student Code of Conduct, or Ohio revised code.

The decision of the administration may be appealed to the Superintendent. The Superintendent shall consider exceptional circumstances only as the reason to overturn the decision of the school administration.

In addition to this policy students may also be bound by Policy 5610.05 and Policy 5530.

Adopted 5/24/06
Revised 8/22/07
Revised 8/18/08