The following rules shall be used by the Seymour Public Schools when responding to a student’s involvement with alcohol. School rules in the critical area of alcohol use are motivated not only by respect for the law, but also by a genuine concern for the physical, psychological and emotional well being for all its students. The possession, purchase, or consumption (use) of alcoholic beverages on any Seymour Public School campus or at any other school-sponsored activity/event at any time or place is prohibited.

Any student found in violation of the school’s alcohol policy will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion, regardless of the student’s previous disciplinary record. In addition, a student who violates the above policy may be required to undergo drug/alcohol counseling.

Breathalyzers may be used during school time, or at any school function, on or off school grounds as requested or determined by the Principal/Assistant Principal in the manner as outlined below. Further, breathalyzers may be used at school, on school buses or at any school sponsored activity. Breathalyzers will be used at school, during the school day, only in situations where school officials have reasonable suspicion of a violation of school rules and/or Board policy on alcohol use and/or possession. In other extracurricular situations, breathalyzers may be used by either testing every student or a sample of students entering the event, or when there is reasonable suspicion to believe that a student may be under the influence of alcohol.

When screening every student at an event, the alcohol tester shall operate in the “Passive Mode.” In this mode, the alcohol tester can detect alcohol in a student’s breath by the mere exhaling of a breath. If alcohol is detected, the student shall be brought to a private area and an attempt will be made to notify the student’s parent(s)/guardian. The student shall then provide an “Active” breath sample. This Active sample will be collected by attaching the mouthpiece to the alcohol tester and the student blowing into the mouthpiece.

If there is reasonable suspicion that a student is under the influence while at school or at a school-sponsored event, on or off school grounds, the student will be escorted to a private area where a “passive” test may be administered. If alcohol is detected, an attempt will be made to notify the student’s parent(s)/guardian and the procedure for obtaining an active sample, as described above, will be followed.

If a student refuses to abide by the provisions of this policy, an attempt will be made to notify the student’s parent(s)/guardian, the student will not be allowed to continue in class or participate in the event, as applicable, and the student will be subject to disciplinary action.

Definition of Reasonable Suspicion

Reasonable suspicion shall refer to any of the following:

1. Observed use or possession of alcohol;
2. Odor of an alcoholic beverage or the presence of an alcohol container;
3. Apparent physical state of impairment of motor functions, e.g., slurred speech, unsteady gait, lack of coordination, bloodshot or glazed eyes, or other similar evidence;
4. Marked changes in personal behavior not attributable to other factors; or
5. Involvement in, or contribution to, an accident where the use of alcohol is reasonably suspected or student involvement in a pattern of repetitive accidents, whether or not they involve actual or potential injury.