DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE | Administrative Guideline Manual

3122.01 - DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE

The Board prohibits the manufacture, possession, use, distribution, or dispensing of any controlled substance, including alcohol, by any member of the District's professional staff at any time while on District property or while involved in any District-related activity or event. Professional staff members who use or possess a prescription drug that has been lawfully prescribed to the staff member and taken in accordance with the prescribed dosage shall not be deemed to be in violation of this policy. Wherever possible, a staff member should take prescribed medications at home and not bring them to school. Where that cannot be accomplished, any staff member in possession of prescribed medications while at school is responsible for taking appropriate precautions to assure that the drugs remain in the staff member's possession at all times and are taken only in private, out of view of students. Nothing in this policy shall prohibit the District Administrator from evaluating a staff member's fitness for duty pursuant to Policy 3161 - Unrequested Leaves of Absence/Fitness for Duty.

The term "District-related activity or event" includes, but is not limited to, all District-sponsored curricular, extra-curricular, co-curricular, and student or staff training events whether on or off District property and any field trip or other District-sponsored trip including national and international trips.

Employees are to report to work free of the effects of all mood-altering drugs, including alcohol. The use, possession, sale or intent to sell, transfer of drugs, drug paraphernalia, or having illegal drugs or chemicals in a person's system in or on District property, or in any District-owned or contracted vehicle is prohibited.

The use of or sale of alcohol on District property, at any District-sponsored event or trip, or in any District-owned or contracted vehicle is prohibited.

Staff members who agree to or are assigned to supervise student activities or trips shall not violate this guideline during the entire duration of the activity or trip whether students are or are not immediately present.

Each job description shall contain the following phrase:

"The employee shall remain free of any alcohol or illegal substance in the workplace in compliance with Policy 3122.01 throughout his/her employment in the District."

Each staff handbook will include a summary of the standards regarding unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by staff and the staff members shall be informed that compliance with this requirement is mandatory.

The District wishes to maintain a work environment that is free of illegal drugs, alcohol, or other improper substances. To this end, the District prohibits the sale, or use of such substances on its premises. The District requires the cooperation of all employees in administering this policy.

Desks, file cabinets, and other storage devices may be provided for the convenience of employees but remain the sole property of the District. Accordingly, they can be inspected by any agent or representative of the District at any time, either with or without prior notice. Any staff member's personal belongings kept on District property may be searched in the event District officials have reasonable suspicion that the staff member is in possession of prohibited items. Any such search shall occur only after the staff member has been asked to consent to the search. If reasonable suspicion exists, but consent to search is not provided, the search may occur. Any such search shall be conducted in the presence of more than one District official other than the staff member involved and shall be limited in scope by the basis for reasonable suspicion to conduct the search in the first instance. District officials may consult with law enforcement or District legal counsel prior to conducting a search and may prohibit the staff member from removing the item during the process.

Any staff member who violates the District policy shall be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the Employee Handbook.

When the discipline of a staff member becomes necessary, such action shall be consistent with the requirements of any applicable Board Policy and State and Federal law.

Employees that feel they may be experiencing or developing a dependency on alcohol or other drugs are encouraged to take advantage of the resources offered by the District before a violation of this policy occurs as indicated in Policy 3122.01. Alcohol or drug dependency does not excuse any employee from the requirements of this policy.