Plainwell Community Schools

Random Student Drug Testing Policy

The Plainwell Community School Board has a strong commitment to maintaining a safe environment for
all students. In recognition of the increase in the amount of students consuming illicit drugs, the Board
authorizes the Superintendent or Designee to establish a random drug testing program at Plainwell High
School for all athletes and extracurricular activities. Please see the administrative guidelines for specific
instructions and procedures.

Plainwell Community Schools

Random Student Drug Testing Policy
Administrative Guidelines

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The primary purpose of the drug testing policy is to provide a healthy and safe environment for all
interscholastic extracurricular activity participants and provide parents and students with the tools and
supports to remain drug-free and healthy. The Board encourages students to resist peer pressure and
remain drug-free. In addition, the Board desires to encourage student participants in activities who use
drugs to participate in drug treatment programs.

AUTHORITY

The US Supreme Court established the authority of public schools to test students for illegal drugs. In
Pottawatomie County Board of Education v. Earls, 536 US 822 (2002), the Court held that students
participating in competitive extracurricular activities can be subjected to random drug testing.
Subsequent cases have expanded that right.

Student participation in interscholastic extracurricular competitive activities is a privilege not a right, and
this policy is intended to protect the health and safety of students; therefore the Board is authorized to
implement this policy.

The Goals of the Random Student Drug Testing Policy are to:

● identify a student with drugs or nicotine present in his/her body

● provide notification to the custodial parent/guardian
● educate, assist, and direct students away from drug and alcohol use and toward healthy, safe and
drug-free participation in activities leading toward a healthy lifestyle
 ● Partner with parents and provide tools and supports for students to be drug free

PARTICIPANTS & REQUIREMENTS

A. Policy Participants

● Student athletes
● Students who participate in extracurricular/co-curricular activities including:
○ High School Musical
○ National Honor Society
○ PALS - Not in a Placement or Class
○ Clubs and other Activities

● Any other student whose parents wish to enroll them in the program at their expense.
The reporting information will be provided only to the parent in this case.

B. All records generated pursuant to this policy are confidential student records under the Family
Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and will be securely stored separate from the
student’s CA-60 file. Such records shall be disclosed only to school personnel who have a need
to know and will not be turned over or disclosed to any law enforcement personnel or authorities.

C. Prior to participating in extracurricular activities, clubs, or driving, the students and the student’s
parent/guardian shall sign and deliver the Consent to Random Student Drug Testing Form. The
consent will be valid for twelve months from the date of signature. A student who does not have
a current consent on file will not be allowed to participate, which includes attendance at practices,
tryouts, games, contests, performances, or competitions.

SELECTION AND TESTING PROCESS

A. Random drug testing of the defined student population may be conducted at various times
throughout the school year, and at least once per trimester, at the direction of the principal. Ten
percent of the total number of male students and ten percent of the total number of female
students shall be tested during each round. Accurate and complete student rosters shall be used.

B. Random selection will be handled by high school administration and will be conducted by a
lottery using a numeric selection process. Student names will remain unknown until the random
selections are completed.

a. If the student is absent that day, the sample shall be provided on the first day the student
returns to school.
 b. If the student is unable to produce a sample when requested, the student will be allowed
to return within two hours the same day to provide the sample.

c. Students who are not in regular attendance at school, such as virtual school students shall
provide a sample on the first day the student presents at school. All students providing
samples shall do so under the supervision of the coordinator in a manner which will
minimize intrusiveness and embarrassment to the student while ensuring there is no
tampering with the sample. Students shall be required to produce a sample while the
coordinator remains outside the restroom entry door. Each sample container shall be
checked for appropriate temperature and will be sealed and labeled with a number for
identification purposes.

d. The sample will be tested for the presence of one or more of the following illegal
substances:

i. Cocaine

ii. Amphetamine

iii. Methamphetamine

iv. Marijuana

v. Opiates

vi. Nicotine

Samples will not be screened for the presence of any other substance or the existence of any physical
condition other than drug intoxication.

e. The initial drug test of the sample will be a sensitive, rapid, and reliable immunoassay
procedure (also referred to as a point of collection test) performed at the school. If the
initial drug test renders a negative result, then no further analysis will be conducted. If
the initial drug test renders a positive result, the test coordinator shall immediately
contact the student’s parent/guardian by phone to discuss the positive initial drug test
result.
 f. The student’s parent/guardian has the right to appeal the initial drug test positive result on
the day of the random drug testing. In the event that the parent/guardian requests an
appeal, the Coordinator shall immediately deliver the sealed sample container to a testing
laboratory for a confirmation drug test at the parent/guardian’s expense. The
confirmation drug test must be a more rigorous procedure and must be different in
scientific principle from the initial drug test. If the confirmation drug test renders a
negative result, then the drug test will be deemed negative, no further analysis or action
will be taken, and the Coordinator shall reimburse the parent/guardian for the cost of the
confirmation drug test. If the confirmation drug test renders a positive result, the positive
drug test results shall be provided to the testing laboratory’s medical review officer
(MRO). An MRO is a licensed physician employed by the testing laboratory, and
knowledgeable in the interpretation and evaluation of a student’s positive confirmation
drug test. The parent/guardian and student shall have the opportunity to confidentially
discuss the test results with the MRO and provide any relevant medical information to the
MRO that would assist the MRO in verifying the confirmation drug test as positive or
negative, such as a properly prescribed medication. If the MRO determines the test
results should be negative, then no further action shall be taken and the negative test
result will be reported to the parent/guardian and Coordinator. If the MRO verifies a
positive drug test result, the MRO shall submit a report of such result to the student’s
parent/guardian and the Coordinator.

g. During the appeal period of any positive drug test, the student’s eligibility to participate
in extracurricular competitive activities shall be suspended.

h. The failure or refusal of a student to provide a urine sample pursuant to this policy shall
be treated as a positive confirmation drug test. The failure of the Coordinator to follow
the selection and testing process shall render the random drug test invalid and no
consequences shall apply to any affected student.

CONSEQUENCES

A. Athletics

a. 1st offense will be suspension from 50% of the scheduled competitions in the sport they
are currently participating in and the suspension if not completely served in that season
will carry over to the next season the athlete participates in. All suspensions start
immediately following the incident.
 i. After 25% of the suspension is served, students may apply for reinstatement (on
their first offense only) to the athletic program provided they complete the
following:
1. Participation in the Prime for Life Drug Awareness Program
2. Agree to additional drug testing at the student’s expense not to exceed
$25.
3. Meet with representatives from the athletic department.
4. The final determination will be made by the athletic department
committee.

b. Second positive result. For the second positive drug test result, the student athlete will be
suspended from participating in interscholastic athletics (including practice) for an entire
calendar year from the date of the second positive test.

c. Third positive result. The student will not be allowed to participate in athletics at
Plainwell High School.

B. Extra and Co-Curricular Activities

a. Student will be dismissed from the program until successful completion of the Prime for
Life program and/or a drug treatment program from a licensed facility and or health
professional. Students in PALS and NHS will be dismissed from the program.
Participation in the musical will be at the discretion of the director.

C. Non-Punitive Nature of this Policy. No student shall be penalized academically for testing
positive for drugs under the policy. The results of drug tests pursuant to this policy will not be
documented in any student academic records and information regarding the results of drug tests
will not be disclosed to criminal or juvenile authorities, without a valid, binding subpoena or
other legal process, which the school will not solicit.

REVIEW

The Superintendent shall annually evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of this policy and shall
recommend any changes to the Board.

STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT

A. Nothing in this policy shall be construed to limit the applicability or enforcement of the
student code of conduct, including all of its provisions pertaining to drugs or nicotine.
 B. In the event the student is on a behavior contract or stipulated order which includes a
requirement for random drug testing, a positive drug test under this policy shall also be
considered a positive drug test under the behavior contract or stipulated order.

CONSENT FORM

It is MANDATORY that each student who participates in extracurricular activities or athletics

sign and return the "consent form" prior to participation in any activity. Failure to comply will
result in non-participation.