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Policy 416- Drug and Alcohol Testing

I. PURPOSE

A. The school board recognizes the significant problems created by drug and alcohol use in society in general, and the public schools in particular. The school board further recognizes the important contribution that the public schools have in shaping the youth of today into the adults of tomorrow.

B. The school board believes that a work environment free of drug and alcohol use will be not only safer, healthier, and more productive but also more conducive to effective learning. Therefore, to provide such an environment, the purpose of this policy is to provide authority so that the school board may require all employees and/or job applicants to submit to drug and alcohol testing in accordance with the provisions of this policy and as provided in federal law and Minn. Stat. §§ 181.950-181.957.

II. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY

A. All school district employees and job applicants whose positions require a commercial driver’s license will be required to undergo drug and alcohol testing in accordance with federal law and the applicable provisions of this policy. The school district also may request or require that drivers submit to drug and alcohol testing in accordance with the provisions of this policy and as provided in Minn. Stat. §§ 181.950-181.957.

B. The school district may request or require that any school district employee or job applicant, other than an employee or applicant whose position requires a commercial driver’s license, submit to drug and alcohol testing in accordance with the provisions of this policy and as provided in Minn. Stat. §§ 181.950-181.957.

C. The use, possession, sale, purchase, transfer, or dispensing of any drugs not medically prescribed, including medical cannabis, regardless of whether it has been prescribed for the employee, is prohibited on school district property (which includes school district vehicles), while operating school district vehicles or equipment, and at any school-sponsored program or event. Use of drugs which are not medically prescribed, including medical cannabis, regardless of whether it has been prescribed for the employee, is also prohibited throughout the school or work day, including lunch or other breaks, whether or not the employee is on or off school district property. Employees under the influence of drugs which are not medically prescribed are prohibited from entering or remaining on school district property.

D. The use, possession, sale, purchase, transfer, or dispensing of alcohol is prohibited on school district property (which includes school district vehicles), while operating school district vehicles or equipment, and at any school-sponsored program or event. Use of alcohol is also prohibited throughout the school or work day, including lunch or other breaks, whether or not the employee is on or off school district property. Employees under the influence of alcohol are prohibited from entering or remaining on school district property.

E. Any employee who violates this section shall be subject to discipline which includes, but is not limited to, immediate suspension without pay and immediate discharge.

III. FEDERALLY MANDATED DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING FOR SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS

IV. DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING FOR OTHER EMPLOYEES

The school district may request or require drug and alcohol testing for other school district personnel, i.e., employees who are not school bus drivers, or job applicants for such positions. The school district does not have a legal duty to request or require any employee or job applicant to undergo drug and alcohol testing as authorized in this policy, except for school bus drivers and other drivers of CMVs who are subject to federally mandated testing. (See Section III. of this policy.) If a school bus driver is requested or required to submit to drug or alcohol testing beyond that mandated by federal law, the provisions of Section IV. of this policy will be applicable to such testing.

V. POSTING

The school district shall post notice in an appropriate and conspicuous location on its premises that it has adopted a drug and alcohol testing policy and that copies of the policy are available for inspection during regular business hours by its employees or job applicants in its personnel office or other suitable locations.

Legal References:

  • Minn. Stat. Ch. 13 (Minnesota Government Data Practices Act)
  • Minn. Stat. Ch. 43A (State Personnel Management)
  • Minn. Stat. § 152.22 (Medical Cannabis, Definitions)
  • Minn. Stat. § 152.23 (Medical Cannabis; Limitations)
  • Minn. Stat. § 152.32 (Protections for Registry Program Participation)
  • Minn. Stat. §§ 181.950-181.957 (Drug and Alcohol Testing in the Workplace)
  • Minn. Stat. § 221.031 (Motor Carrier Rules)
  • 49 U.S.C. § 31306 (Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991)
  • 49 U.S.C. § 521(b) (Civil and Criminal Penalties for Violations)
  • 49 C.F.R. Parts 40 and 382 (Department of Transportation Rules Implementing Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991)

Cross-References:

Adopted: March 26, 1991
Revised: October 25, 2005
Revised: December 14, 2010
Revised: May 19, 2015
Revised: August 16, 2016
Reviewed: December 18, 2018
Revised: May 18, 2021