DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE BY STUDENTS--PROCEDURES

Involuntary/Disciplinary Referrals of Students

A. Possession and/or Use

Following are guidelines for disciplinary action for possession and/or use of prohibited substances on school grounds, in school buildings, on school property, including buses, or at school-sponsored activities.

1. First Offense

a. Student is referred to building administrator for verification/confiscation (include witness if possible).

b. The building administrator will:

I) Notify parent/guardian immediately and in writing;

2) Notify superintendent immediately and in writing;

3) Notify local law enforcement officials immediately and in writing; and

4) Notify probation officer and/or OHS, if appropriate.

c. The student, referred to the SAT for assessment and action plan development, shall be suspended from school until an appropriate plan is established.

The SAT will convene within three school days.

d. Counselor (SAC or Guidance) meets with student and parent/guardian for action plan implementation.

e. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken if action plan is not followed, including suspension from school and school-sponsored functions for up to ten (10) school days.

2. Second or Subsequent Offense

a. Same as 1.a.

b. Same as 1 b.

c. Same as l.c.

d. Same as l .d. for purposes of action plan revision, as needed.

e. Referral to Substance Abuse Counselor for clinical evaluation.

f. Same as 1.e. and including possible referral by superintendent to School Committee for long-term suspension or expulsion hearing.

B. Furnishing and/or Selling

Guidelines for disciplinary action for furnishing and or selling or a prohibited substance on school grounds, in school buildings, on school property, including buses, or at school­ sponsored activities.

1. First Offense

a. Student is referred to building administrator for verification/confiscation (include witness if possible).

b. The building administrator will:

1) Notify parent/guardian immediately and in writing;

2) Notify superintendent immediately and in writing;

3) Notify local law enforcement officials immediately and in writing; and

4) Notify probation officer and/or OHS, if appropriate.

c. Student is suspended from school and school-sponsored functions for up to ten ( l 0) school days.

d. Student is referred to SAT for assessment and action plan.

e. Counselor (SAC or Guidance) meets with student and parent/guardian for action plan implementation.

f. Superintendent may refer to School Committee for long-term suspension or expulsion hearing for failure to comply with policy.

2. Second or Subsequent Offense

a. Same as 1.a.

b. Same as l.b.

c. Student is suspended from school and school- sponsored functions for ten (10) school days.

d. Building administrator makes recommendation to superintendent for long­ term suspension or expulsion hearing with School Committee.

e. Building administrator notifies SAT of actions taken.

f. Students suspended/expelled may be allowed re-entry to school contingent upon successful completion of recommended action plan.

Voluntary Referrals of Students

A. Concerned Person Report

1. Concerned person may confidentially refer concern to the SAC or a member of the SAT.

2. SAC or the SAT assesses referral.

3. SAC or SAT representative meets with student to discuss concerns of referral and to suggest available assistance or action plan.

4. SAC or the SAT notifies parent/guardian and/or encourages student to talk to parent/guardian regarding concerns as situation warrants.

B. Self-Referral

1. Any student concerned with his/her own use or the use of his/her family or friends may be directed to or direct themselves to the SAC or the SAT for assistance.

2. No disciplinary action will be taken.

3. A counseling relationship and the information resulting from it shall be kept confidential, consistent with the professional obligations of the counselor, except in cases where disclosure of information is necessary.

Said disclosure is necessary when: (1) the student's condition requires others to assume responsibility for him/her; or (2) there is clear and imminent danger to the student or others.

C. School-Sponsored Functions

1. Remove student from function and/or return to school grounds.

2. Notify building administrator who will follow procedures for possession, use, furnishing and/or selling of prohibited substances.

3. Notify parent/guardian to assume responsibility for student.

4. Contact local law enforcement officials to transport if parent/guardian cannot be contacted and/or if student refuses to cooperate.

5. Student to be released only to parent/guardian or local law enforcement personnel.

6. School-sponsored functions involving out-of-state or out-of-country travel will require that a student and parent/guardian sign an agreement of understanding and adherence to this policy prior to such travel. Violations of policy guidelines in these situations will result in immediate implementation of appropriate procedures upon return.

Adopted: 8/17/94

Revised: 6/24/96