GBEC:   DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE

 

 

The School Committee recognizes that alcoholism and drug dependency are treatable diseases.  Left untreated, they may result in serious personal and family problems.  At the same time, the School Committee is also seriously concerned about the effects of alcohol and drug dependency upon an employee’s job performance and ability to serve as a role model for our students.

 

The School Committee 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 School Committee 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 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 school building or on any school premises; in any school-owned vehicle or in any other 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 the school unit; or during any period of time such employee is supervising students on behalf of the school system or otherwise engaged in school unit business.

 

Furthermore, The Kittery School District recognizes that exposure to marijuana can cause a notable scent.  Employees are not to have a recognizable odor of marijuana while on the job.

 

All violations shall be reported to the building principal, who shall report to the Superintendent, or reported directly to the Superintendent.

 

Any employee who suspects that he/she may have an alcohol or drug dependency problem is strongly encouraged to contact Human Resources.  The employee will be provided confidential referral services to an outside agency upon request and will be assisted in insurance coverage process.  All voluntary referrals shall be kept confidential.

 

Any illegal use, possession, furnishing, selling or provision of assistance in 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 employee is required to notify the school unit of a criminal or civil conviction for a drug violation occurring in the workplace no later than five calendar days after such conviction.  In turn, the Superintendent, within 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 this school unit’s drug and alcohol policy, 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 the school system.


Adopted:                October 6, 1998

Revised:                     July 17, 2001; October 18, 2011

Reviewed by PC:         October 23, 2012 (no changes)

Reviewed by PC:         September 23, 2021 (no changes)

Revised:                          November 16, 2021


Legal Reference:         21 U.S.C. § 812 (Controlled Substances Act)

                                         21 C.F.R. §§ 1300.11-1300.15

                                         Fed. P.L. 101-226

                                       17-A MRSA § 1101

 Cross Reference:        JICH - Drug and Alcohol Use by Students