Van Buren Local School District
Bylaws & Policies
 

5530.01 - EXTRA-CURRICULAR, COMPETITION, CONTEST, PERFORMANCE, AND OTHER NON-MANDATORY ACTIVITY/PRIVILEGE PARTICIPATION DRUG TESTING PROGRAM

The Van Buren Local School's Board of Education believes that athletics, other extra and co-curricular activities and other non-required activities/privileges are an integral part of the total educational process. It recognizes that participation in these activities is not mandatory, and that those students involved in these activities participate voluntarily under certain obligations and restrictions.

The Board also recognizes that the use of alcohol and illicit drugs are on the increase and is initiating this program of deterrence as a pro-active approach to a truly drug-free school. Likewise, through participation in the aforementioned activities, students using illegal drugs and underage drinking pose a threat to their own health and safety, as well as to that of other students. The purpose of the Drug Testing Program is:

 A.to provide for the health and safety of all students;
 B.to undermine the effects of peer pressure by providing a legitimate reason for students to refuse to use alcohol and illegal drugs; and
 C.to encourage students who use alcohol and/or drugs to participate in treatment programs.

The Superintendent shall prepare guidelines for a Student Drug Testing Program (which may include testing for alcohol). Such guidelines shall:

 A.Provide the qualifications and expectations of an independent drug testing Vendor to be approved by the Board of Education.
 B.Outline the activities and events that may qualify students in both the Middle School and High School for participation in the Drug Testing Program.
 C.Include a description of the methodology and steps that will constitute the procedures that students must adhere to prior to participation in any of the afore mentioned activities, during testing, and post-testing.
 D.Outline the consequences of a positive test.
 E.Show a coordination of consequences across all activities.
 F.Allow for Self Referrals.
 G.Allow for an appeal process.
 H.Allow for Mandatory, Random, and for Reasonable Suspicion testing.
 I.Be in effect year round beginning on the date that a student volunteers to participate in their first extra-curricular, co-curricular, non-mandatory, activity/privilege for as long as the student is participating in any such activity.
 J.Comply with applicable legal requirements.

Adopted 3/11/10