Chemical Use/Abuse

The use/abuse or possession of mood altering chemicals (including steroids) by students will not be tolerated, as it may interfere with the learning process of students and it may jeopardize students’ personal safety. In compliance with School District Policy 506 (Student Discipline) and 541 (Chemical Use/Abuse), the following guidelines have been established for students:

Students, regardless of age, may not possess, use, be under the influence of, distribute, sell and/or exchange unauthorized mood altering, or illegal chemical substances, such as narcotics, drugs, alcohol, or other mood-altering chemicals.

This rule applies to the school building, school grounds, before, during and after school hours, school buses, school activities or events that take place away from school property (e.g. field trips, athletic events, etc.). Students found in violation of this policy will be subject to the following:

FIRST VIOLATION

  1. Parents/Guardians will attend a conference with appropriate school personnel, including an Administrator and Chemical Awareness counselor.
  2. Suspension from school according to school district policy. (3 days)
  3. Option of one of the following:
    1. Chemical assessment by an approved outside agency. The student/parent will be responsible to provide written verification from the agency that the assessment has taken place. The student/parent may make arrangements for the release of the results of the assessment to the school. Assessment by an outside agency will be a the student's/parent's expense.
    2. Chemical pre-assessment by a qualified staff member of the school district.
  4. The student will participate in the school district “Family Awareness Program” and successfully complete the program requirements. It is strongly recommended that parents also participate in this program.
  5. If steps one through four are not completed by the agreed upon date, second violation consequences will be administered.
  6. The student and parent/guardian will be informed of consequences for 2nd & 3rd violations.
  7. The building principal and district administrators and if appropriate the activities director and coach/advisor will be informed of this violation.
  8. The local police will be immediately informed of the violation and the school will file all reports and evidence with them for appropriate legal action.

SECOND VIOLATION

  1. The parent/guardian will attend a conference with appropriate school personnel, including an Administrator and Chemical Awareness Counselor.
  2. Suspension from school according to school district policy. (5 days)
  3. The student will undergo a chemical assessment by an agreed upon outside agency. The student will be responsible to provide written verification from the agency that the assessment has taken place. The student/parent will be responsible to provide written verification from the agency that the assessment has taken place. The student/parent may make arrangements for the release of the results of the assessment to the school. Assessment by an outside agency will be at the student’s/parent’s expense.
  4. If a chemical assessment is not obtained from an approved agency by the agreed upon date, the third violation consequences will be administered.
  5. The student and parent/guardian will be informed of consequences for the third violation.
  6. The building principal and district administrators and, if appropriate, the activities director and coach/advisor will be informed of the violation.
  7. The local police will be immediately informed of the violation and the school will file all reports and evidence with them for appropriate legal action.

THIRD VIOLATION

  1. The parent/guardian will attend a conference with appropriate school personnel, including the Assistant Principal and Chemical Awareness Counselor.
  2. Suspension from school according to school district policy. (10 days)
  3. Notification of violation to:
    1. Principal
    2. Assistant Superintendent of Leadership, Teaching, and Learning
    3. Superintendent
    4. and, if appropriate, activities director and coach/advisor
  4. In accordance with Policy 541, the student’s name will be forwarded to the Superintendent of Schools, with the administrative recommendation for expulsion. If the student has not received a chemical assessment as outlined in the first and second violations, parents are strongly urged to do this and follow through with recommendations given.
  5. The local police will be immediately informed of the violation and the school will file all reports and evidence with them for appropriate legal action.