Why are supervisors, teachers and principals in the Calcasieu Parish school system not being drug-tested at random like other employees?

In response to the question, Calcasieu Parish school system spokeswoman Holly Holland cited the opening sentence of the district’s testing policy for drivers.

“The Calcasieu Parish School Board, as a result of its responsibilities to its employees and to the public it serves, has a compelling obligation to eliminate illegal drug and alcohol use from its workplace,” reads the policy, written to comply with federal law and

U.S. Transportation Department rules.

The policy, labeled GAMEB, requires a random-testing regimen — for both drug and alcohol use.

“The minimum annual percentage rate for random alcohol testing shall be 25 percent of the average number of driver positions. The minimum annual percentage rate for random controlled substances testing shall be 50 percent of the average number of driver positions,” reads the policy.

“The employer shall randomly select a sufficient number of drivers for alcohol testing and for controlled substances testing during each calendar year to equal an annual rate not less than the minimum annual percentage rates indicated above.”

Additionally, Holland noted, the school district policy manual includes a “reasonable suspicion” testing policy — labeled GAME — that applies to all employees.

“Any employee, who is reasonably suspected of being under the influence of any prohibited substance, shall be subject to drug testing, including, without limitation, Breathalyzer, blood and/or urine testing,” reads the policy.

“Any delay in submitting to a drug screen or the employee’s refusal to submit to a drug screen shall create a presumption of impairment under this policy, as well as a violation of this policy. Any attempt to alter the results of a drug screen shall be considered a violation of this policy.”

The policy’s provisions on involuntary testing:

“Reasonable suspicion testing shall be used when there is reasonable suspicion that an employee’s behavior, performance, error in judgment, accident or incident, or unsafe actions while working is related to substance abuse. Under these circumstances, the employee shall not ride from the place of employment to the testing site alone.”

“Post accident or incident testing may be used if an employee suffers an occupational on-the-job injury or causes injury to a fellow employee. An employee who is seriously injured and cannot provide a specimen at the time of the accident shall provide the necessary authorization for obtaining hospital reports and other documents that would indicate whether there was any alcohol or drugs in his/her system.”

“Pre-employment testing shall be required of an applicant or candidate as a condition of employment prior to being approved to work at the Calcasieu Parish School Board. The cost of the initial test shall be the responsibility of the School Board. The costs of any confirmation of the initial test results shall be the responsibility of the applicant or candidate.”

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Online: www.cpsb.org.

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The Informer answers questions from readers each Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. It is researched and written by Andrew Perzo, an American Press staff writer. To ask a question, call 494-4098 and leave voice mail, or email informer@americanpress.com.