Garfield Re-2 Policies

JICH-R

 

Drug and Alcohol Involvement by Students

In accordance with the accompanying policy, the following procedures are established for addressing alcohol- or drug-related misconduct. These procedures will supplement and complement authority conferred elsewhere by Board policy and will not be deemed to limit or suspend such other authority. 

Use

When a student is suspected of use, the person having the suspicion will notify the principal or designee.  Notification must include reasons for such suspicion (observed use, unusual behavior, etc.)  The principal or designee will conduct a check of the suspected student and collect data.  The investigation will include interviewing the student and witnesses and examining the evidence. This action will comply with the Board policy on investigations and searches.

 

a. If information is not sufficient to warrant further action, the principal or designee may have a personal conference with the student expressing awareness and concern.

 

b. If information warrants, the student’s parent/guardian will be requested to attend a conference at school.  The conference may include sharing the data collected, explaining the consequences of involvement with drugs/alcohol, developing a plan of action, and offering the student’s parent or guardian general information and resources related to substance abuse.

 

2. When necessary, emergency health and safety care will be provided, and any procedural or disciplinary issues postponed until the student’s immediate needs are treated.  While waiting for the student’s parent/guardian or further medical aid, the student will not be left alone but placed in a quiet situation where he/she will remain under observation.

 

Possession distribution and exchange

Students who possess or are involved in any distribution or exchange of alcohol, drugs, other controlled substances, or drug-containing or drug-related paraphernalia in violation of Board policy will be handled in the following manner:

 

1. A staff member who comes in contact with evidence and/or contraband will notify the principal or designee immediately.

 

2. A staff member who has reasonable cause to believe that a student possesses or is involved in any distribution or exchange of alcohol, any controlled substance, or drug-containing or drug-related paraphernalia in violation of Board policy will request that the student accompany him to the principal or designee.  If the student refuses, the staff member will notify the principal or designee immediately.

 

3. The principal or designee will undertake investigation and search procedures as outlined in Board policy.

 

4. The principal or designee will place any evidence in an envelope or alternative container as necessary, which will be sealed, dated, and initialed by the individual who originally obtained the materials and by the principal or designee.  The evidence will then be placed in a school safe or other secure place.

 

5. The principal or designee will refer the student to appropriate law enforcement officials in accordance with applicable law.  A mutual decision will be made as to the retention of the contraband by the school or testing by the authorities.

 

6. When there is evidence of a student possessing illegal drugs, the student may be suspended or expelled, and the parent/guardian notified. If information warrants, the student’s parent/guardian will be requested to attend a conference at school. The conference may include sharing the data collected, explaining the consequences of involvement with drugs/alcohol, developing a plan of action, and offering the parent or guardian general information and resources related to substance abuse.

 

Sanctions and Interventions

 

Students are subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension and expulsion for any single violation of the accompanying policy. Offenses and consequences for violations of the accompanying policy will be cumulative for three calendar years. Offenses confirmed from schools prior to the student’s enrollment in the district may count toward the cumulative total.

 

Possession, Use, and/or Being Under the Influence

 

First offense

1. The student may be suspended from school for three days.

 

2. A parent conference will be held.

 

3. The principal or designee will attempt to develop with the student’s parent/guardian and student a plan that will outline the responsibilities of the parent/guardian, the student, and the school in an effort to prevent further offenses from occurring. The student will complete an approved education/counseling/treatment program. The student and the student’s parent/guardian will be responsible for the program’s completion and its cost and will provide documentation of completion of the program within the required time limits.

 

4. The principal or designee may recommend additional suspension and/or expulsion depending on the severity of the case.

 

Second offense

 

1. The student will be suspended from school for five days.

 

2. The principal or designee may recommend additional suspension and/or expulsion depending on the severity of the case.

 

Third offense

 

1. The student will be suspended for ten days and recommended for expulsion.

 

2. Alternatives to expulsion may be considered by the principal or designee.

 

Purchase, Sale, Distribution, and Exchange

 

First offense

 

1. The student may be suspended for ten days and recommended for expulsion.

 

2. Alternatives to expulsion may be considered by the principal or designee.

 

Second offense

 

1. The student will be suspended for ten days and recommended for expulsion upon the second offense and all subsequent offenses within any three-year period.

 

Approved: February 27, 1998

Revised: November 26, 1996

Revised: May 11, 1999

Revised: November 27, 2007

Revised: May 2013

Revised: January 28, 2014

Revised: February 12, 2019

Revised: October 9, 2024

 

CROSS REFS.: JIH, Student Interrogations, Searches and Arrests

JKD/JKE, Suspension/Expulsion of Students

 

Garfield School District No. Re-2, Rifle, Colorado