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Board weighs broader drug-screening and background checks for volunteers; substitutes raise contract questions
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Summary
The board considered policy language to strengthen the district's drug-free workplace enforcement and to require drug screening for volunteer coaches; members asked whether substitute teachers (hired through third-party ESS) should also be included.
The Maury County Board of Education reviewed proposed clarifying language to its drug-free workplace and volunteer policies that would broaden administrative options for handling positive drug screens and would require volunteer coaches to submit to drug screening and criminal-history checks.
Human-resources staff explained the revision aims to make enforcement clearer and to strengthen the district's position in unemployment appeals. "This language...would give my office more credence with the unemployment office as to when we have to fight an unemployment dispute," Miss Jordan (HR staff) told the board, noting positive post-accident or reasonable-suspicion screens have in the past required termination and legal follow-up.
Jordan said current practice already requires full background checks and drug screens for non-faculty paid coaches; the proposed change would extend drug screening to volunteer coaches and have the school pay the screening cost. Board members pressed whether other non-employee adults who interact with students should be screened and how the policy distinguishes one-time visitors versus ongoing volunteers.
Several board members asked about substitute teachers, who are employed through a third-party provider, ESS. Jordan and staff noted substitutes are ESS employees and currently must meet TBI/FBI background-check requirements under state law; adding drug-screen requirements for substitutes would require renegotiation or amendment of the ESS contract. Board member Miss Brown said the district should explore whether contract changes could require drug testing because substitutes are regularly left alone in classrooms.
On enforcement language, the draft moved from mandatory "shall be suspended" wording to language allowing a range of disciplinary measures, including immediate termination for positive tests. Board members cautioned that the language broadened administrative discretion and asked for clarity about minimum sanctions. Staff replied positive screens typically result in immediate termination, but the broader wording allows administrators discretion for appropriate cases.
Why it matters: Volunteer coaches and substitutes routinely work with students; proposed changes would increase screening and potentially lower legal risk for the district but may require contract changes and budget allocations.
What comes next: The proposal will remain under new business for the voting meeting; staff will research contractual implications for substitutes (ESS) and clarify enforcement thresholds and which categories of volunteers must be fingerprinted and drug-tested.
