NORTH PENN SCHOOL DISTRICT
Administrative Regulations
4314(a)
PERSONNEL
Reference: Board Policy #4314
Professional and Support Staff
Drug and Substance Abuse
Board Policy #4314 states the school district will provide a drug-free awareness program and inform
employees of the availability of drug counseling and rehabilitation. The superintendent will delegate
responsibility to the manager of human resources. Employees will be provided with the following
information:
•
the dangers of drug abuse in the workplace;
•
the school district's policy of maintaining a drug-free workplace;
•
the availability of drug counseling, drug rehabilitation, and employee assistance programs;
•
the penalties that may be imposed upon employees for drug abuse violations occurring in the
workplace.
The following definitions are pertinent to this subject:
1.
Controlled Substances – include, but are not limited to, all substances so defined, classified
or listed by the Pennsylvania Controlled Substance, Drug, Device, and Cosmetic Act, 35 P.S.
§780-101 et. seq. (P.L. 23, No. 64, April 14, 1972), Section 102 (6) of the Federal Controlled
Substance Act (21 U.S.C. §802(6), and such laws or regulations published by the
Pennsylvania and Federal Departments of Transportation. Controlled substances include but
are not limited to any narcotics, depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, cannabis (marijuana
and hashish), inhalants, steroids, look-alike drugs, and other substances commonly known
as “designer drugs” that can alter the mood, perception, pain level, judgement, or the ability
of the employee to perform their duties in a safe and efficient manner. Further specific
examples include:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Opiates - e.g., heroin, morphine, codeine, methadone
Cocaine
Cannabinoids - e.g., marijuana, hashish
Amphetamines
Barbiturates
Hallucinogens - e.g., Phenocyclidine (PCP), Methaqualone (Quaalude), Peyote,
Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD)
g. Benzodiazpines - e.g., Valium, Librium
Also encompassed by this definition are substances not sold as drugs or medicines, but used
for mind-behavior/altering effect.
2.
Conviction - finding of guilt (including a plea of nolo contenders) or imposition of sentence or
both by any judicial body charged with the responsibility to determine violations of Federal or
State Criminal Drug Statutes.
CONTINUED
ADM. REG. 4314
12/11/08 srk
4314(b)
3.
Drug-Free Workplace - any site for the performance of work on behalf of the school district
upon which employees are prohibited from engaging in the unlawful manufacturing,
distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance.
4.
School District Workplace – any place where school district work is performed, including but
not limited to, school buildings or other school district facilities or premises; school districtowned or school district-approved vehicles used to transport students to and from school or
school activities or to otherwise sponsored or school-approved event, activity or function
(such as a field trip or athletic event), anywhere students are under school district supervision
or jurisdiction; or anywhere an employee is supervising students on behalf of the school
district business.
ATTACHMENT
Reviewed: May 1991
Revised: December 11, 2008
ADM. REG. 4314
12/11/08 srk
4314(c)
EXHIBIT
Sample Notice to Employees
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that it is a violation of board policy for any employees at a school
district workplace to unlawfully manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess, use, or be under the
influence of any alcoholic beverage, drug or controlled substance. A copy of the School District’s
Drug-Free Workplace Policy (Board Policy #4314) and related administrative regulations is attached
for your review.
For purposes of the policy, “School District Workplace” is defined as any place where school district
work is performed. In addition, “Controlled Substances” include, but are not limited to, all
substances so defined, classified or listed as such under state and federal law.
As a condition of your continued employment with the school district, you must comply with Board
Policy #4314 and the applicable regulations. Your failure to do so will be grounds for discipline
including termination. In addition, pursuant to the Public School Code, any employee of the school
district who is convicted of delivery, or possession of a controlled substance with the intent to
deliver, as prohibited by the Pennsylvania Controlled Substance, Drug, Device, and Cosmetic Act,
shall be terminated from his or her employment with the school district. In addition, any person
who, while employed by the school district, is convicted of any of the offenses designated as a
felony under the Pennsylvania Controlled Substance, Drug, Device, and Cosmetic Act or an out-ofstate or federal offense similar in nature to the crimes so listed, shall be immediately terminated. If
at any time you are convicted of a violation of any drug or alcohol related criminal statute, you must
notify your supervisor of this conviction no later than five days after such conviction.
The school district shall make available drug counseling, drug rehabilitation and employee
assistance programs to employees who seek such assistance as stated in Board Policy #4314. If
you have questions related to such assistance, please contact the manager of human resources.
Pursuant to sections 1612 and 1613 of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, school district bus drivers
shall be subject to a drug and alcohol testing program as required by the Pennsylvania Vehicle
Code and the applicable Federal Statutes and Regulations (Board Policy #4271).
ADM. REG. 4314
12/11/08 srk