DISTRICT FAILS TO REPORT POSITIVE DRUG TEST

The Payson Unified School District could face citation after failing
to report the positive results of a drug test of one of its employees.

Cocaine showed up in the urinalysis (UA) of Payson School District bus
driver/mechanic and assistant football coach, Bryan Parkerson in late
January.

But the school district didn't disclose their findings to the
Department of Public Safety right away.

According to DPS Supervisor of Pupil Transportation Vicki Barnett,
school officials violated state law by neglecting to report the
presence of cocaine in Parkerson's system found during the Jan. 20
UA.

"We found out (about the failed test) when Bryan called and asked to
know his status," Barnett said. "He told us, not the district."

By law, DPS is required to revoke the certification of any school bus
driver who tests positive on a drug test.

Parkerson's certification wasn't cancelled until Feb. 1, after he
phoned DPS, Barnett said.

"(Director of Support Operations) Joe (Martin) told me to call Vicki
to see what was going on with my certification," Parkerson said.

If district officials had contacted DPS immediately, Parkerson's
driving certification would have been revoked that day rather than six
days later.

"(Certification) should have been canceled quicker than it was,"
Barnett said.

Martin said he learned Jan. 24 that Parkerson, his brother-in-law, had
failed the test and -- because of their family relationship -- Martin
immediately referred the situation to school superintendent Herb
Weissenfels.

"There was a possible conflict of interest," Martin said. "The
superintendent agreed to deal with these kinds of things if they
should come up."

Martin admitted he should have made contact with DPS.

"I will say I should have followed up," he said.

But Weissenfels defended the district's position, saying he believed
the results of the tests had already been reported to DPS.

"The date given to me was Jan. 26," he said.

According to DPS Lt. Michael Lockhart, state laws do not dictate who
should report test failures to DPS. Rather, he said, that
responsibility falls on the individual districts.

Parkerson was placed on administrative leave Jan. 24 by Weissenfels,
but then returned to work Feb. 2. records show.

Parkerson continued to work at the district, but did not drive busses,
until he was notified of his termination April 18.

"I did general maintenance and jumped through all the hoops I was
asked before being wrongfully terminated," Parkerson said. "They've
taken away my life."

The former coach and driver claimed the test results were
invalid.

"They botched the test; it was bogus," he said.

Parkerson also said he took a level two -- a more stringent test --
fewer than 24 hours after he learned he failed a test and it came back
clean.

Martin confirmed Parkerson's claim saying, "All his tests have been
clean except that one."

Parkerson and Martin traveled to Phoenix April 15 to appeal his
license revocation to an administrative law judge.

The recommendation from the judge is not expected to be announced
until next week.

At an April 25 meeting, the school board officially ratified
Parkerson's 10-Day Notice Letter of Termination.

The former coach and driver now wonders why he was allowed to continue
to work for almost three months before being fired.

"I went to guidance counseling like they asked and did everything I
was told to do to keep my job," he said. "Then they fired me."

Whether DPS will reprimand the school district has not yet been
decided.

"We have not discussed that here," Lockhart said. "But Payson did not
report (the drug test failure) and they could be cited for that."

Timeline of events

Jan. 20 -- Parkerson takes random drug test.

Jan. 24 -- Positive test results reported to district. Parkerson put
on administrative leave.

Feb. 1 -- Parkerson calls DPS; his drivers certification is
revoked.

Feb. 2 -- Parkerson returns to work with limited duties.

April 14 -- School board meets to discuss Parkerson
issues.

April 15 -- Parkerson appeals his case to an administrative law
judge.

April 18 -- Parkerson is told he has been fired.

April 25 -- School board ratifies 10-Day Notice Letter.