USD 450 RANDOM DRUG TESTING POLICY

The USD 450 Learning Community believes all students can develop to their fullest potential only when provided a drug free educational setting.  The use of illegal drugs and/or the abuse of prescription drugs not only inhibits the academic potential of the individual user, but negatively impacts the educational environment for all students.  The purpose of the random drug testing policy is to help students manage social pressure associated with drug use and to promote healthy decision making. In addition, the policy engages students, parents and schools in a proactive partnership when identifying the use of illegal substances.  Early identification and treatment is important when addressing addiction or other issues associated with drug use.

     In order to provide a drug free environment and effectively create partnerships in the prevention of drug use, as well as the treatment of students who engage in drug use, USD 450 students in grades 7-12 who participate in KSHSAA sponsored activities and/or are issued a parking permit will participate in the USD 450 random drug testing program.  Additionally, students and parents may “opt-in” to the random drug testing pool at any time regardless of activity participation or parking permit status. 

The random drug testing process is outlined below:

1.      The testing facility will randomly select students to be tested from the eligible pool of students mentioned above for testing throughout the school year.

2.     The building principal or designee(s) will collect and send each hair sample following drug-testing facility guidelines. Parents will be notified at least two days prior to sample collection and may be present for the sample collection.

3.     Parents/Guardians will be contacted by the principal or designee and given the results of each test within two to three weeks of taking the hair sample by mail, in person or by phone. 

4.     Students who have a positive test will meet with parents/guardians and the principal/designee for discussion of next steps.

5.     Positive test results are cumulative throughout each student’s 7th-12th grade years. 

A first positive test result will result in the following actions:

1.     The parent/student will schedule an assessment through the Prevention and Recovery Services (PARS).  The student will remain fully eligible for all activities and parking privileges if the PARS assessment is conducted within seven business days.  If an assessment cannot be conducted within seven business days due to PARS availability, the grace period will be extended with proper documentation.   If the initial appointment is missed or is not completed within the time allocation described above, the student will be subject to suspension from participating in activities and parking privileges until the assessment is completed. The student is expected to continue to practice with the team/organization but will not attend competitions and/or activities outside of practice during the suspended time period.

2.     The student will follow the PARS recommendations in order to remain eligible for KSHSAA activities and retain parking privileges.  PARS will provide a written summary of the assessment, including recommendations, and progress to school officials.  The student/family will be responsible for costs associated with the recommendations.

3.     The student must submit to one (1) follow-up drug test that will be scheduled after at least ninety days following the initial positive test. 

A second positive test will result in the following actions:

1.      A twenty-one (21) calendar day suspension from KSHSAA activities.  With administrative approval and coach/sponsor consent, the student may practice with the team/organization but will not attend competitions/activities outside of practice during this time period.

2.     The student will lose parking privileges during the suspended time period.

3.     The student will be referred to Prevention and Recovery Services (PARS) for an assessment and will follow recommendations.  PARS will provide a written summary of the assessment, including recommendations, and progress to school officials. The student/family will be responsible for costs associated with recommendations.

4.     The student must submit to one (1) follow-up drug test that will be scheduled at least ninety days following the initial positive test.

A third positive test will result in the following actions:

1.     A 180-day suspension from KSHSAA activities.  The student will not be permitted to participate in practices during the banned period.

2.     The student will lose parking privileges during the suspended time period.

3.     The student will be referred to Prevention and Recovery Services (PARS) for an assessment and will follow recommendations.  PARS will provide a written summary of the assessment, including recommendations, and progress to school officials. The student/family will be responsible for costs associated with recommendations.

4.     The student must submit to one (1) follow-up drug test that will be scheduled at least ninety days following the initial positive test.

     Test results will be made available only to the student, parents/guardians and to school officials who have a legitimate educational interest in the student.  Once a student has been tested, his/her identification information is placed back in the general pool for further random testing.  It is possible that a student may be tested more than once during a school year and multiple times throughout his/her middle school and high school experience.

     If a parent/guardian questions the validity of a test result, a request for an additional test on the same hair sample may be made at parent/guardian expense.

     Any student refusing to submit to a drug test after random selection will be deemed to have a positive test result and will be subject to actions outlined above.

     A student or parent/guardian may self-report drug usage at any time.  A self-report may not be motivated out of concern of being reported by law enforcement following an incident. The student will not be subject to suspension from participation in events or parking when self-reporting.  The student will be referred to PARS for an assessment and must follow recommendations.  The assessment, recommendations and progress will be shared with school officials.  The student must submit to one (1) follow up drug tests that will be scheduled at least ninety days from the day of the self-report.  Any future positive tests will count as a second positive test or third positive test as appropriate.  All costs related to follow-up recommendations will be the responsibility of the student/family.