Drug Free Workplace

Student and employee safety is of paramount concern to the Board of Education.

In recognition of the threat to safety posed by employee use or possession of drugs or alcohol, the

Board of Education commits itself to a continuing good-faith effort to maintain a drug-free

workplace. The Board of Education shall not tolerate the manufacture, use, possession, sale,

distribution or being under the influence of controlled substances, alcoholic beverages or

unauthorized prescription medications by district employees on any district property; on any

district- approved vehicle used to transport students to and from school or district activities;

off district property at any district-sponsored or district-approved activity, event or function,

such as a field trip or athletic event, where students are under the supervision of the school

district; or during any period of time such employee is supervising students on behalf of the

school district or is otherwise engaged in school district business.

When it is evident that an employee has consumed alcoholic beverages or controlled substances off

school property before or during a district activity, the staff member will not be allowed on

school property or to participate in the activity and will be subject to the same disciplinary

measures as for possession or consumption on district property.

Staff members will be tested for alcohol and controlled substances if the district has reasonable

suspicion that the staff member has violated this policy. In addition, staff members who operate

district transportation must submit to alcohol and drug testing as otherwise required by law. All

testing will be conducted in accordance with Board policy, administrative procedures and law.

Any employee who violates this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, which may include

suspension, termination and referral for prosecution. Employees may be required to satisfactorily

participate in rehabilitation programs.

Each employee of this school district is hereby notified that, as a condition of employment, the

employee must abide by the terms of this policy and notify the superintendent or designee of any

criminal drug statute conviction for a violation occurring in or on the premises of this school

district, or while engaged in regular employment. Such notification must be made by the employee to

the superintendent or designee in writing no later than five calendar days after conviction.

The superintendent or designee will provide notice in writing of such violation to the United

States Department of Education or other appropriate federal agency within ten calendar days after

the superintendent or designee receives such notification if the district receives any federal

grants directly from such agency, as opposed to federal grants received through the Department of Elementary and

Secondary Education (DESE).

The district will take appropriate disciplinary action within 30 days.

The district will institute a drug-free awareness program to inform employees of the dangerous and

harmful nature of drug and alcohol abuse in the workplace, of this policy of maintaining a

drug-free workplace, of available counseling and rehabilitation, and of the penalties that may be

imposed upon employees for drug abuse violations occurring in the workplace.

The Board of Education recognizes that employees who have a drug abuse problem should be encouraged

to seek professional assistance. Although the district will not assume financial responsibility, an

employee who requests assistance shall be referred to a treatment facility or agency in the

community if such facility or agency is available.

Upon the request of DESE or an agency of the United States, the district shall certify that it has

adopted and implemented the drug prevention program described in this policy. The district shall

conduct a biennial review of this policy to determine its effectiveness, implement necessary

changes and ensure that the disciplinary sanctions are consistently enforced.

This policy shall be communicated in writing to all present and future employees. Compliance with

this policy is mandatory.

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Note: The reader is encouraged to check the index located at the beginning of this section for

other pertinent policies and to review administrative procedures and/or forms for related

information.

MSBA Policy GBEBA