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5201 - Drug-Free Schools, Community and Workplace

Policy 5201
Human Resources

The Board has an obligation to staff, students and citizens to take reasonable steps to ensure safety in the workplace and to provide safety and high quality performance for the students whom the staff serves. "Workplace" is defined to mean the site for the performance of District work. That includes any District building or any District premises; any District-owned vehicle or any other District-approved vehicle used to transport students to and from school or school activities; off-school property during any school or District-sponsored or school or District-approved activity, event or function, such as a field trip or athletic event, where students are under the jurisdiction of the District.

For these purposes, the Board declares that the following behaviors for all staff, students, vendors, volunteers and visitors are prohibited:

A. Reporting to work under the influence of alcohol, illegal and/or controlled substances, including marijuana (cannabis); 

B. Using, possessing, or transmitting illegal and/or controlled substances, including marijuana (cannabis) and anabolic steroids,  in any amount or in any manner on District property or at a District worksite at any time or when involved in a school District activity on or off school District property;

C. Using, possessing, or transmitting alcohol on District property or at a District worksite at any time or when involved in a District activity on or off District property, except that possessing an unopened container of alcohol in a locked motor vehicle is not prohibited; 

D. Using District property or the person’s position within the District to make or traffic alcohol or controlled substances;

E. Furnishing alcohol, illegal and/or controlled substances, including marijuana (cannabis) and anabolic steroids to minors, including but not limited to District student or students; 

F. Using, possessing or transmitting illegal and/or controlled substances, including marijuana (cannabis), in a manner that is illegal and/or detrimental to the interest of the District.

Any staff member who is taking a drug or medication whether or not prescribed by the staff member's physician, which may adversely affect that staff member's ability to perform work in a safe or productive manner is required to report such use of medication to his or her supervisor. This includes drugs/medications that are known or advertised as possibly affecting judgment, coordination, or any of the senses, including those drugs/medications that may cause drowsiness or dizziness. The supervisor in conjunction with the Human Resources Department then will determine whether the staff member can remain at work and whether any work restrictions will be necessary.

Any staff member convicted of a crime attributable to the use, possession, or sale of an illegal and/or controlled substance, including marijuana (cannabis), will be subject to disciplinary action, including immediate termination. Any staff member convicted of a crime attributable to the use, possession or sale of alcohol that impacts their ability to perform the essential functions of their job or to be at work will be subject to disciplinary action, including immediate termination.  

Each employee shall be notified of this District policy in new employee materials. Any staff member who violates any aspect of this policy may be subject to disciplinary action, which may include immediate discharge. The District may notify law enforcement agencies regarding a staff member’s violation of this policy at the District's discretion or take other actions as the District deems appropriate.

As required in the Drug-Free Workplace Act, each employee, as a condition of employment, shall notify his or her supervisor of a conviction under any criminal drug statute violation occurring in the workplace as defined above. Such notification shall be provided no later than five (5) days after such conviction. The District shall inform the federal government within ten days of such conviction, regardless of the source of the information.

The District’s confidential Employee Assistance Program is available to assist employees with substance abuse issues. The District recognizes that alcoholism and substance abuse are treatable medical conditions and that the use of controlled substances may lead to chemical dependency and may affect an employee’s job performance. Therefore, the District offers assessment and referral services through its Employee Assistance Program to employees and their immediate family members seeking confidential assistance. The availability and/or use of these services do not waive the employee’s responsibility to comply with Board policies and/or meet expected standards of work performance.

 

Cross References:   Board Policy 5010 Employee Conduct Rules 

 

Legal References:   41 USC  701-707 Drug Free Workplace Act of Subtitle D 1988 and as amended in 1989

                                20 USC 7101-7118 Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act

                                21 USC 812 Controlled Substance Act

                                21 CFR 1300.11-1300.15

                                RCW 69.50.435 Violations committed on school bus or in or near school grounds or school                                                                 bus route stop

Management Resources: Policy News, February 2013; December 2011; February 1999

Adoption Date: 10/28/99, Revised: 10/08/15

  • 5201
  • community
  • drug-free
  • schools
  • workplace