Pubdate: Tue, 20 Dec 2011
Source: Billings Gazette, The (MT)
Copyright: 2011 The Billings Gazette
Contact: http://billingsgazette.com/app/contact/?contact=letter
Website: http://www.billingsgazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/515
Author: Nick Gevock
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)

BUTTE TRUSTEES TABLE PROPOSAL FOR DRUG TESTING OF SOME TEACHERS

BUTTE -- Butte school trustees were uncomfortable on Monday with 
changing district policy to allow art, chemistry or welding teachers 
to be subject to drug testing similar to that required of bus drivers.

The board tabled a proposal that would have added any employee 
working in a hazardous environment to be subject to drug testing. 
Trustees heard a complaint from Mike Kujawa, a Butte High art teacher 
and president of the Butte Teachers' Union, that the rule would have 
segregated some teachers for extra scrutiny.

"If it's going to affect 10 teachers out of 300 teachers, we don't 
feel that's fair," Kujawa said during a board meeting.

The board in updating policies for Butte teachers and staff 
considered the change. Bus and commercial drivers are already subject 
to drug and alcohol testing under district rules.

Therese McClafferty, human resources director, said the district 
would like to have the ability to do post-accident drug testing for 
teachers and staff members who work in a hazardous setting. That 
would include teachers working with chemicals, such as chemistry and 
art instructors, as well as welding teachers.

But the proposal drew scrutiny from several board members. They 
agreed with Kujawa that it would divide the teachers into categories.

"Is there going to be a list identifying who falls under that?" 
trustee Scott Ferguson asked. "How will somebody know?"

And Rayelynn Connole asked why the district wouldn't make the policy 
apply to all teachers.

"We're kind of grouping people in a way I don't think we want to," she said.

The board decided to send the proposal back to the policy committee 
for further consideration.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom