Pubdate: Thu, 19 Jul 2007
Source: Charlotte Observer (NC)
Copyright: 2007 The Charlotte Observer
Contact:  http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/78
Author: Amy Rainey

GASTON SCHOOLS STIFFEN POLICY ON DRUG CRIMES

Employees Now Required To Report Charges Or Convictions By The Next 
Business Day

Following three separate incidents in which Charlotte-Mecklenburg 
Schools teachers were charged with drug crimes, Gaston County Schools 
has changed its employment policies.

Gaston County Schools employees previously had five days to report 
that they were convicted of a crime. Now employees are required to 
report any criminal charges or traffic violations involving drugs and 
alcohol to their supervisor the next business day, the school board 
decided this week. The CMS incidents "gave us the opportunity to look 
at our policy to see if it needed any tweaking," said school board 
chairman David Phillips. The new policy, Phillips said, places the 
responsibility on the employee. Lincoln County Schools already has a 
similar policy. The school system requires employees to immediately 
notify their supervisors of any drug crimes. The school system also 
adopted a policy that gives the board and superintendent more 
options, including termination, when handling employees who violate 
the drug-free and alcohol-free workplace policy. Other Developments 
Gaston County middle and high schools are now prohibited from selling 
snacks and soft drinks from vending machines before and during the 
lunch period, the school board decided this week.

Employees who willfully violate the policy are subject to 
disciplinary action, including termination.

"We want to make sure that they receive the proper nutrition instead 
of soft drinks or bonbons," said school board Chairman David 
Phillips. State law requires that no food be sold in competition with 
a school's lunch program, and schools can be fined for violating that 
law. Last year, three schools were fined by the state, said Leon 
Moretz, deputy superintendent for operations.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom