I. Sale or Distribution of Dangerous Drugs, Drug Paraphernalia, or Alcoholic Beverages on School Property or in School-sponsored Activity
In the event a student is found to be distributing, selling or providing controlled substances, imitation controlled substances, marijuana or its derivatives, prescription drugs, drug paraphernalia, over the counter drugs or alcohol on school property, he/she will be referred to the appropriate administrator. Such student will be suspended, parents will be informed, and the Colonie Police will be contacted in order that appropriate legal action may be instituted. The Superintendent will be requested to conduct a formal hearing in order to determine guilt or innocence and how the District’s educational responsibility to the student, if any, will be met.
II. Use and/or Possession of Dangerous Drugs or Alcohol on School Property or in School-sponsored Activity
A. In the event a student is found to be in possession of or under the influence of controlled substances, imitation controlled substances, marijuana or its derivatives, prescription drugs (except when taken as directed by a physician, and with a doctors note on file in the nurse’s office), over the counter drugs, drug paraphernalia, or alcohol, he/she will be suspended, and the police will be contacted. At the student/parent reinstatement conference, the administrator will outline the steps which will be implemented should there be a recurrence of the problem. The student will be placed on probation for the period of one year. The purpose of the probation is to document the student’s and family’s understanding of the consequences should a second incident occur. Referral services will be made known and available to the parents. The student will be recommended for counseling with the Student Assistance Counselor.
B. If a student is involved an offense addressed by this policy a second time, the student will be suspended from school, parents will be informed and the Colonie Police will be contacted.
The Superintendent will conduct a formal hearing to determine guilt or innocence and how the District’s educational responsibility to the student, if any, will be met.
III. Faculty Procedure for Students Suspected of Attending School Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol
SHOULD A STAFF MEMBER HAVE REASON TO SUSPECT THAT A STUDENT IS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, DRUGS OR ALCOHOL, HE OR SHE SHOULD CONTACT THE (HALL) PRINCIPAL WHO WILL ARRANGE FOR A PHYSICAL APPRAISAL BY THE NURSE OR DOCTOR. SHOULD IT BE SUBSTANTIATED THAT THE STUDENT IS UNDER THE INFLUENCE, THE (HALL) PRINCIPAL WILL CONFRONT THE STUDENT AND THEN PROCEED ACCORDING TO SECTION II ABOVE.
A. Elementary Schools
When a faculty member suspects that a student is involved with drugs or alcohol, but is not necessarily under the influence at that time, he/she has the responsibility to inform the nurse and the Building Principal. The referring teacher and other teachers who work with the child will complete a form designed to gather data about student characteristics. The nurse and/or the Principal will see the child to evaluate/confirm the situation. If involvement with drugs or alcohol is suspected by the nurse and Principal, the parent/guardian will be called into school for a conference. A list of local counseling agencies and individuals will be provided to the parent/guardian by the school nurse.
If the situation/observation reoccurs, the procedure will be addressed in the same manner except that the school psychologist, building Pupil Service Team or other individuals or agencies may be used as a resource. Counseling will be provided by the school psychologist and or school nurse.
B. Secondary Schools
When a faculty member suspects that a student is involved with drugs or alcohol, but is not necessarily under the influence at that time, he/she has the responsibility to notify the hall principal or guidance counselor. The referring teacher will be asked to complete a form which is intended to gather information about student behavioral-characteristics (5312.1-E). The guidance counselor will then distribute to and collect the form from the student’s teachers. A meeting will then take place among the referring teacher(s), the guidance counselor, the (hall) principal and other appropriate staff including outside resources assigned to the school.
The purpose of this meeting is to examine data and facts and to make a determination whether the student is involved with drugs or alcohol. If so determined, another meeting should be scheduled which includes the parent to establish intervention strategies. The referring teacher is invited to the second meeting, but attendance is not mandatory. If in an unusual instance, parents are not included in the second meeting, reasons should be listed and reviewed with the Director of Pupil Services. Minutes of the meetings and a record of intervention strategies should be kept in the (Hall) Principal’s office, and not in the cumulative folder. After the second meeting, teachers who completed forms and provided information will be contacted and informed of the outcome of the meeting.
If the situation/observation continues, the team and the parent will reconvene to determine what other agencies or individuals should be involved. Counseling sessions provided by the guidance counselor, school psychologist or outside agency personnel are recommended. School at-risk services/programs may be involved.
The ultimate objective is to provide effective intervention to eliminate the substance use and abuse.
Note: Prior regulations, Students – Dangerous Drugs and Alcohol, 5131.9 and Faculty Procedure for Students Suspected of Attending School Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol, 5145(a), (b)
Policy Adopted: June 11, 1973
Amended: June 23, 1986
Amended: January 26, 1998
Amended: January 23, 2006
Amended: November 5, 2009