No. 4235

PERSONNEL

Series 4000

Drug-free Workplace and Drug-free School and Communities Act

Policy

It is the policy of the Region 15 Board of Education that the use of alcohol by staff during school sponsored activities involving children is prohibited.

In accordance with federal law and pursuant to the goal of the Regional School District 15 Board of Education to maintain a drug-free workplace, the following policy is established:

1.

The Regional School District 15 Board of Education will publish a statement notifying employees that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession or use of controlled substances, other illegal drugs, or alcohol is prohibited in the workplace and at school sponsored activities.  All employees will be given a copy of this statement and will be informed that compliance with the standards of conduct stated in this policy is mandatory and that a violation of its provisions will subject an employee to disciplinary action up to and including termination and referral for prosecution.

2.

Employees who violate this policy will be subject to disciplinary action which may include but is not limited to a letter of reprimand, suspension or termination from employment, and/or enrollment in and successful completion of an appropriate substance abuse rehabilitation program.  Members of the administrative staff shall report any suspected violation of the standards of conduct directly to the Superintendent of Schools.  The Superintendent or his designee will immediately investigate the allegation and meet with the alleged violator (refer to Employee Drug Relations).  Any disciplinary action will be treated in a similar manner.

3.

The Board of Education will establish a drug-free awareness program to inform employees about:

a.

The dangers of drug abuse in the workplace;

b.

The Board of Education's policy of maintaining a drug-free    workplace;

c.

The availability of drug counseling, rehabilitation programs, or employee assistance programs;

d.

The penalties that may be imposed upon employees for a drug    abuse violation occurring in the workplace.

4.

It will be a condition of employment for all employees employed under a federal grant to abide by the terms of the statement referred to in paragraph 1 above and to notify the Board of Education of any criminal drug statute violation occurring in the workplace no later than five (5) days after such conviction.

5.

The Board of Education will notify the federal granting agency within ten (10) days after receiving notice from an employee or otherwise receiving actual notice of any drug statute conviction violation occurring in the workplace.

6.

Within thirty (30) days of receiving the notice referenced in paragraph four, above, the Board of Education will take disciplinary action against such employee, up to or including termination, or require such employee to participate satisfactorily in a drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program approved for said purposes by a federal, state, or local health, law enforcement, or appropriate agency.

7.

The Board of Education will make a good faith effort to continue to maintain a drug-free workplace through implementation of this policy.

8.

This policy and procedure will be reviewed biennially by the Board of Education to determine the effectiveness of the program and to implement changes if needed.

Legal References: Federal Regulation 34 C.F.R. Part 85 - Drug-free Schools and Communities Act

                  : 41 USC  Sec. 701

                  : 20 USC  Sec. 3224q

         Adopted:  27 September 1993

Revision Approved: 28 September 1998