DRUG, ALCOHOL TESTING POLICY ON SCHOOL BOARD AGENDA

Churchill County School Board trustees will review Thursday a
proposed drug and alcohol policy that would allow district officials
to request a drug test from employees involved in workplace
accidents, or if there is reasonable suspicion the employee is using
drugs or alcohol on the job.

The 23-page draft policy will be discussed by the school board at
its meeting in the pit at the Old High School. The meeting begins at
7 p.m. The board will not be voting on the proposed policy at this
meeting. It is listed on the agenda for discussion only.

School Superintendent Carolyn Ross said the drug and alcohol policy
was suggested by the district's workers' compensation insurance
carrier. Bob Sinnett of Sinnett Consulting will be at the meeting to
answer questions and discuss the proposed policy.

The document requires employee drug testing under three scenarios -
when a worker's compensation claim is filed, when a property damage
report is filed and if there is "reasonable suspicion" the employee
is using prohibited substances.

Employees who refuse to submit to a drug or alcohol test can be fired.

If an employee tests positive for drugs or alcohol, they could be
disciplined, up to and including termination. An employee who tests
positive may be offered a chance to seek treatment instead of
disciplinary action at the district's discretion. A positive test
for alcohol would be .04 or more percent.

For an employee who is granted the treatment option, a follow up
drug test would be required before that employee returns to work.
That employee would be required to give written permission for
random drug testing after a first offense.

Once a supervisor suspects alcohol or drug use, the employee will be
suspended pending results of lab tests. If the results are negative,
the employee will be reinstated and paid for any days spent on suspension.

Part of the draft policy addresses contraband on school property.

It states the district has the right to search employee lockers,
desks and possessions brought on campus, such as vehicles and
clothing. If someone is asked to submit to a search and refuses,
"that individual will be considered insubordinate and will be
escorted off the job site and disciplined, as appropriate," the
policy states.

Ross said the proposed regulations have been presented to union
representatives in the district.

"There are parts of it they don't like," she said. "Our purpose is
to reduce accidents and reduce our premiums. We've had an increase
over the past few years in worker's compensation claims."

Ross said drug testing will be used "with discretion."

"The idea is if people are abusing drugs they need to be brought
back to the real world through an assistance program," she said.

In other business, the board will consider a recommendation to hire
Celtic Energy as a third-party consultant to assist with developing
and implementing an energy performance contract.

The company will charge $24,900 for the first phase of the work. The
cost for the second phase would be decided after the consultant
determines the energy needs in the school district.

School board meetings are open to the public.