Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Policy Updates topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee advances policies on substance-free workplace and pregnant students; deletes outdated attendance policy
Summary
The committee approved first readings of GBEC (substance-free workplace) and JIE (protections for pregnant students) after clarifying confidentiality, FMLA and employee supports; it also voted to delete policy IHDA because state law supersedes the local policy.
The Lewiston School Committee on Oct. 6 approved first readings of two policies—GBEC (substance-free workplace) and JIE (protections for pregnant students)—and voted to delete policy IHDA, which the administration said is superseded by state statute.
On GBEC committee members asked how voluntary referrals and substance-related disclosures would be handled. Jake Langley and HR staff explained there are confidentiality protections and distinct procedures: staff who self-report or who are suspected to be under the influence are handled through established personnel procedures and may be eligible for leave or other protections. HR staff summarized leave interactions: "It actually falls under the FMLA laws," and described concurrent federal and state eligibility standards; they added that the district also offers an employee assistance program and benefit coordination for employees seeking treatment.
On JIE, members asked about language added to cover "false pregnancy." A committee member explained that a false pregnancy can arise from conditions such as tumors or hormonal imbalances that appear pregnancy-like and that the policy addition addresses such circumstances.
Separately, the committee approved deletion of IHDA, which allowed postgraduate residents to attend secondary classes up to age 20. The superintendent said state law supersedes that policy and that students with an IEP may attend up to age 22 under current statute; the motion to delete IHDA passed unanimously.
Member Megan Heard moved to approve the first read of GBEC and JIE; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously. Elizabeth Eames moved and the committee approved deletion of IHDA.
Staff said the policies and the IHDA deletion will be reflected in future packet materials and that the two policies pulled earlier from consent (IMDA and IMDB) would be reviewed by the policy subcommittee at a later date.
