3162 - DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING OF STAFF MEMBERS

Whitley County Consolidated Schools

Bylaws & Policies

3162 - DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING OF STAFF MEMBERS

The School Board believes that the safety and welfare of students is of utmost importance. To fulfill such a responsibility, each staff member must be mentally and physically alert at all times while on duty. To that end, the Board has established this policy and others related to employees' health and well-being.

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

	A.	The term illegal drug means drugs and controlled substances, the possession or use of which is unlawful, pursuant to Federal, State, and local laws and regulations.
	B.	The term controlled substance includes any illegal drug 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.
	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 all tasks associated with the operation and maintenance of Corporation equipment.
	E.	The term while on duty means all time from the time the staff member 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.

The Board expects all employees to comply with Board policy 3122.01 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 employees should be free of any influence of alcohol or controlled substance while on duty.

The Board directs the Superintendent to establish a drug and alcohol testing program whereby any staff member may be 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 drug tests are to be conducted in accordance with Federal and State regulations and may be conducted a.) prior to employment, b.) for reasonable cause, c.) upon return to duty after any alcohol or drug rehabilitation, d.) on a random basis, and e.) on a follow-up basis.

Candidates may also be tested for the presence of alcohol in their system prior to employment.

Any staff member who tests positive shall be prohibited from operating school equipment and be referred to the Corporation's Employee Assistance Program.

Prior to the beginning of the testing program, the Corporation shall provide a drug-free awareness program which will inform each staff member about:

	A.	the dangers of illegal drug use and controlled substance and alcohol abuse;
	B.	Board policies 3122.01 - Drug-Free Workplace, 3161 - Unrequested Leaves of Absence, 3170 - Substance Abuse, and 3170.01 - Employee Assistance Program;
	C.	the sanctions that may be imposed for violations of policy 3122.01.

The Superintendent shall arrange for the required amount of training for appropriate staff members in drug recognition, in the procedures for testing, and in the proper assistance of staff members who are subject to the effects of substance abuse.

The Superintendent shall submit, for Board approval, a contract with a certified laboratory to provide the following services:

	A.	testing of all first and second test urine samples
	B.	clear and consistent communication with the Corporation's Medical Review Officer (MRO)
	C.	methodology and procedures for conducting random tests for controlled substances and alcohol
	D.	preparation and submission of all required reports to the Corporation, the MRO, and to Federal and State governments

The Superintendent shall also select the agency or persons who will conduct alcohol breathalizer tests, the Corporation's MRO, and the drug collection site(s) in accordance with the requirements of the law.

49 CFR 382.101 et seq.