TRUSTEES TABLE DRUG TESTING PROPOSAL

Butte school trustees were uncomfortable Monday changing district
policy to allow art, chemistry or welding teachers to be subject to
drug testing similar to that required of bus drivers.

The board tabled a proposal that would have added any employee
working in a hazardous environment to be subject to drug testing.
Trustees heard a complaint from Mike Kujawa, a Butte High art teacher
and president of the Butte Teachers' Union, that the rule would have
segregated some teachers for extra scrutiny.

"If it's going to affect 10 teachers out of 300 teachers, we don't
feel that's fair," Kujawa said during a board meeting.

The board in updating policies for Butte teachers and staff
considered the change. Bus and commercial drivers are already subject
to drug and alcohol testing under district rules.

Therese McClafferty, human resources director, said the district
would like to have the ability to do post-accident drug testing for
teachers and staff who work in a hazardous setting. That would
include teachers working with chemicals, such as chemistry and art,
as well as welding instructors.

But the proposal drew scrutiny from several board members. They
agreed with Kujawa that it would divide the teachers into categories.

"Is there going to be a list identifying who falls under that?"
trustee Scott Ferguson said. "How will somebody know?"

And Rayelynn Connole asked why the district wouldn't make the policy
apply to all teachers.

"We're kind of grouping people in a way I don't think we want to," she said.

The board decided to send the proposal back to the policy committee
for further consideration.

Teachers won't administer alcohol sensors

In another policy, the Butte school trustees on Monday dropped
language giving teachers the responsibility to administer alcohol
sensors to students suspected of drinking at school or extra
curricular activities.

The board had concerns last month that it would require teachers to
confront drunken students and could jeopardize their safety.

Superintendent Linda Reksten said the district already uses such
sensors but they're given by police and the language would keep it that way.

"This will address the concern that one of our employees will be
administering the device," she said of the change.