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Board hears first reading of district policy to expand drug-and-alcohol testing beyond transportation staff
Summary
In a first reading, the board reviewed draft policy G1950/GBPD requiring testing when supervisors reasonably believe impairment affected job performance or after vehicle/equipment accidents; questions focused on union (CBA) status and coverage of at-will and contractor staff.
Central Consolidated Schools held a first reading of a proposed policy (G1950/GBPD) to expand drug-and-alcohol testing to district employees beyond the transportation department.
Miss Chappelle read the policy language to the board, saying the draft requires employees (except transportation staff) to submit to testing when a supervisor has reason to believe impairment affected job performance, and allows voluntary testing "after being involved in an accident involving a school vehicle or after an accident involving equipment used in the performance of the employee's duties." The draft states the district will assume testing costs and warns that refusal or positive results may lead to termination, with appeal rights under policies GCQF and GDQD.
"Under this policy, any employee of the district other than a transportation employee must submit to drug and alcohol testing if the employee's supervisor has reason to believe that the employee's job performance has been impaired by the use of alcohol or a drug," Miss Chappelle read.
Board members raised questions about collective-bargaining implications and coverage of non-district contractors. Chappelle said the board has authority to pass policies but noted the CBA (collective-bargaining agreement) is currently silent on this point and that the district could negotiate changes with the union if needed. She said the policy as written would apply to at-will employees; employees supplied by ESS or other vendors would need contractual language to mirror district expectations.
Board members also asked about scope and training for building administrators to identify impairment and follow procedures. Chappelle said the policy targets a narrow subset of situations — adults impaired in or near students' presence — and that the district already maintains a zero-tolerance approach in related policies.
What happens next: This was a first reading and no adoption occurred. Board members suggested staff follow up with legal counsel and labor relations to ensure the proposed policy's interaction with the CBA and vendor contracts is handled before a final vote.
