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Board proposes driver SAP protocol, plans special meeting to resolve bus purchase gap
Summary
Board members outlined a proposed drug-and-alcohol protocol for drivers requiring a Substance Abuse Professional evaluation and follow-up training; the board also discussed meeting in a short special session to finalize a proposed district contribution to buy buses where state aid and owner debt differ.
The Tularosa Municipal Schools board discussed a proposed district policy that would require employees who test positive in random drug testing to consult a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP), complete mandated education, and face a temporary loss of driving privileges until requirements are met.
A presenter described the proposal in detail: "If you get tested positive for marijuana, cocaine, alcohol, or whatever, you gotta go to a substance abuse professional right away. Your driving privileges for Tularosa Schools ... you'd lose your driving privileges until you get to this SAP. ... After that, he or she has to go to 16 hours of continued education on this deal." The staff member said the district would pay for random and follow-up tests but the SAP evaluation costs would be the employee's responsibility.
On the related matter of fleet acquisition, staff reported a state contribution of about $74,000 toward buses but said an owner (identified in the discussion as Mr. Blazer) had outstanding debt on his buses that exceeds the state amount. The presenter proposed the district "meet him in the middle" with roughly $125,000 from district funds to resolve the gap and avoid protracted conflict; board counsel was reported to have advised that acquiring the buses is permissible because the district would gain the asset.
Because the financial figures need confirmation and appraisals had some discrepancies, the board proposed a short special meeting (phone or Zoom) to review corrected appraisals and approve next steps quickly. Separately, the board later tabled consideration of route-bus appraisals pending corrections.
What happens next: Staff said corrected appraisal numbers would be ready by Monday and that a short special meeting could be scheduled to take final action.
