Policy - GBEC

  POLICY:  GBEC

          EFFECTIVE DATE: 1/8/24   

CANCELS SHEET DATED: 10/1/03

REVIEWED BY POLICY COMMITTEE: 1/20/16, 11/13/24

DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE

The RSU #74 Board believes strongly that all employees and students should be able to work and learn in an environment free from alcohol and drug abuse.  Accordingly, the RSU #74 Board expects all employees to report for work and to perform their duties in a manner which does not jeopardize the health, safety and well-being of co-workers and students.

No employee shall distribute, dispense, possess, use or be under the influence of any alcoholic beverage, malt beverage or fortified wine or other intoxicating liquor.  Nor shall an employee unlawfully manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess, use or be under the influence of “bath salts” or other synthetic hallucinogen, or of any narcotic drug, hallucinogenic drug, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana, anabolic steroid or any other controlled substance (as defined in schedules I through V of section 202 of the federal Controlled Substance Act [21 USC § 812]; by regulation at 21 CFR, § 1300.11 through 1300.15; and in 17-A MRSA, § 1101).  This applies before, during and after school hours, at school or in any other school system location, defined as follows:

         “School system location” means in any RSU #74 school building or on any RSU #74 school premises; in any RSU #74 school-owned vehicle or in any other RSU #74 school-approved vehicle used to transports students to and from school or school activities; off school property at any school-sponsored or school-approved activity, event or function, such as a field trip or athletic event, where students are under the jurisdiction of RSU #74; or during any period of time such employee is supervising students on behalf of RSU #74 or otherwise engaged in RSU #74 business.

Any RSU #74 employee who suspects that he/she may have an alcohol or drug dependency problem is strongly encouraged to contact his/her supervisor to seek voluntary diagnosis and treatment.  The employee will be provided confidential referral services to an outside agency upon request and assisted in determining the extent to which insurance coverage to help pay for such services is available.  All voluntary referrals shall be kept confidential.

Any illegal use, possession, furnishing, selling or provision of assistance in any synthetic substance obtaining alcoholic beverages or scheduled drugs not covered by the preceding paragraph may, depending upon the circumstances, constitute sufficient grounds for discipline, up to and including dismissal.  Referrals under foregoing paragraphs of this policy will not preclude disciplinary action under this paragraph, depending on the circumstances.

As provided in the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, any RSU #74 employee is required to notify RSU #74 of a criminal or civil conviction for a drug violation occurring in the workplace no later than five (5)

calendar days after such conviction.  In turn, the Superintendent, within ten (10) calendar days of

learning of such a conviction, is to give written notification to the U.S. Department of Education and to any other federal agency from which the unit receives grant funds.

Appropriate disciplinary sanctions shall be taken against any employee who violates the terms of RSU #74’s drug and alcohol policy, up to and including dismissal.

Any employee who violates the terms of this policy may be allowed to participate in a drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program approved by the RSU #74 Board.  If such employee fails to satisfactorily participate in and complete such program, the employee shall have appropriate disciplinary sanctions taken against him/her, up to and including dismissal.

Implementation

The Superintendent shall be responsible for developing and administering appropriate procedures to implement this policy.

Communication

A copy of this policy is to be given or mailed to all current employees and to new employees at the time of their employment and is to be posted in appropriate locations throughout RSU #74.

Legal Reference:     20 USC § 7101 et seq.  (Safe and Drug-Free Schools and

                                 Communities Act)

                                 21 USC § 812 (Controlled Substances Act)

                                 21 CFR § 1300.11-1300.15

                                 Fed. P.L. 101-226

                                 17-A MRSA § 1101

                                 22 MRSA § 2390-2394

   Cross Reference:     JICH - Drug and Alcohol Use by Students