Pubdate: Mon, 13 Nov 2006 Source: Nevada Appeal (Carson City, NV) Copyright: 2006 Nevada Appeal Contact: http://www.nevadaappeal.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/896 Author: Marlene Garcia TRUSTEES COULD ADOPT DRUG TESTING POLICY ON TUESDAY The Churchill County School District Board of Trustees meets Tuesday instead of its regular Thursday meeting schedule. The board could act on a proposed drug and alcohol testing policy that would apply to all employees in the district. The topic is on the agenda as an action item. A committee that has been studying the proposal is meeting today at 5:30 p.m. to continue discussing whether "reasonable suspicion" should be a criteria before drug testing when a worker's compensation claim is filed. Some committee members had asked for a legal opinion on the issue before making recommendations to the school board on the policy. The draft policy requires drug and alcohol testing when an employee files a worker's compensation claim, after an accident causing more than $1,000 in damage and when there is reasonable suspicion that an employee is using drugs or alcohol at work. "When a supervisor trained in detecting the indicators of alcohol/substance abuse has reasonable suspicion to believe an employee has violated a condition of this policy they will contact another trained supervisor to substantiate their suspicion. Two trained supervisors must observe behavior supporting reasonable suspicion to proceed to the Alcohol and Drug Program Manager," an addition to the proposed policy states. A training session has been set for Dec. 7 for supervisors to learn what constitutes reasonable suspicion and how to spot signs of drug or alcohol use. The draft policy indicates it will go into effect Jan. 1. The district contends a high number of worker's compensation claims and increased cost for insurance prompted the need for a drug and alcohol testing policy. Also on Tuesday's agenda is a recommendation to hire a new maintenance manager for the school district. The position has been open since July when former maintenance manager Chuck Hewitt resigned after eight months on the job. Hewitt said he left the district because he disagreed with the way the district handled the potential danger from leaking fluorescent light fixtures containing hazardous chemicals. Finance director Jim Sustacha will report to the board on the 2005-06 audit and the financial impact of a new formula for per pupil allocations from the state. An update is also planned on a request for bond money to fix schools. No details on any of the agenda items were posted on the school district Web site as of Thursday afternoon. The board meets at 7 p.m. in the district administration building, 545 E. Richards St. - --- MAP posted-by: Elaine