Pubdate: Tue, 20 Dec 2011
Source: Montana Standard (Butte, MT)
Copyright: 2011 Montana Standard
Contact:  http://www.mtstandard.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/609
Author: Nick Gevock
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)

TRUSTEES TABLE DRUG TESTING PROPOSAL

Butte school trustees were uncomfortable Monday 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 who work in a hazardous setting. That would 
include teachers working with chemicals, such as chemistry and art, 
as well as welding instructors.

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 said. "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.

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Teachers won't administer alcohol sensors

In another policy, the Butte school trustees on Monday dropped 
language giving teachers the responsibility to administer alcohol 
sensors to students suspected of drinking at school or extra 
curricular activities.

The board had concerns last month that it would require teachers to 
confront drunken students and could jeopardize their safety.

Superintendent Linda Reksten said the district already uses such 
sensors but they're given by police and the language would keep it that way.

"This will address the concern that one of our employees will be 
administering the device," she said of the change.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom