PW School Board adopts drug policy at special meeting
Members agree to allow Boileau to sign final settlement with Estes
The Palestine-Wheatley School Board adopted a new drug policy for students during a special meeting Thursday night.
Board members also agreed to allow board president Derrick Boileau to sign the final separation agreement for superintendent Jon Estes, who was fired earlier this week.
In addition, assistant high school principal Ryan Halbert was named the district’s temporary purchasing agent.
Boileau asked Halbert to explain the new drug policy to the board.
"This morning I met with several different people in the school. I met with the nurses and a few members of the community. I think I have done a good job at striking a balance. I did what I think is best for the kids,” said Halbert. “As a former coach, I took into consideration what is best for a team. The policy outlines the mission statement of the school and the school’s definition of drugs and the activity programs.
“Now, this policy is different than our previous policy as in it covers every single program in the school,” continued Halbert. “There is a clause in there that it is not limited to the ones that are listed, so if a student participates in a program this policy covers them. It also covers students that drive on this campus. It involves every sport and it involves every activity."
Halbert said that following the first positive test result, students will be required to participate in random drug screenings for three months after receiving their first negative test result.
"In the case of the first positive result of a drug test, it is a little bit different from the previous policy," said Halbert. "The first positive result will see the student placed on probation where they will not be allowed to participate in competitions, presentations or activities, and their driving privileges on campus will be suspended for a minimum of 28 calendar days. The student will remain on probation and will not be allowed to participate fully until either they wait for the next round of random tests that we give, which is once a month. They can take it through the school or their parents or guardians can pay for a test and they can go ahead and get it after that 28-day period is over.
We have a list of approved laboratories that they can get their test through so the school will have to approve that,” said Halbert. “If the test results are negative, the student will then be eligible to drive on campus and participate in competitions, presentations and activities, however, the student must complete a mandatory random drug screen for each month for three months."
According to Halbert, the first positive result does not require a drug education program to be completed.
"While on probation, the student may practice or attend a group’s meetings at the discretion of the sponsor or coach," said Halbert. "They can dress out for competition. but may not compete. It is recommended that the students complete a drug counseling education program. It is not mandatory, but is highly recommended."
"Will there not be counseling on the first positive test?" asked board member Blaine McCoy.
"On the first positive, we do not require it, although we recommend it," said Halbert. "We show them where they can go, but we don't make them do it."
(Continued from Page 1) "I think we should," said McCoy.
Halbert said the second positive result does require students to complete a drug education program before being approved to compete, present or participate in activities or drive on campus.
“The second positive result, in a 24-month period following the first positive result, will result in the student’s suspension in participating in activities and driving on campus for one calendar year," said Halbert. "The student will also be required to complete a drug education program. The program must be completed in full and approved by a school counselor before the student can participate in any event or driving. All charges incurred will be the responsibility of the parent or guardian.
“One thing I want to note about that, after speaking with several people, they were concerned about the price of the program,” continued Halbert. “There is a chance that some of our students who might test positive twice may not have much money. The counselor and I found an approved program that is free that we can send people to."
"It looks like that needs to be on the first positive," said McCoy.
"We can amend that," said Boileau.
According to Halbert, this new policy is an attempt to give students more of a chance as the district wants to do everything possible to help students stay in competitions.
"The third positive result in 36 months following the first positive result will result in suspension from participating in activities or driving on campus for the remainder of their enrollment in the school district,” said Halbert. “Students who have tested positive will automatically be placed in the random test pool every month for one calendar year. This is different than our previous policy because in our previous policy, if you tested positive three times, between seventh through 12h grades, you were done forever. We felt like we wanted to do everything possible to give them a chance to stay in competition. If they test positive once and don't test positive again for four years, it goes back to step one."
The board unanimously voted to accept the new policy with the amendment of a mandatory drug education program being added to the first offense.
Following an executive session, board members named Halbert the purchasing agent. His responsibilities will include signing paperwork in the absence of a superintendent until an interim is named.
Boileau's responsibilities as the final signer of the separation agreement include meeting with the school district's attorneys and Estes to sign the paperwork necessary throughout the termination process of Estes.