GENERAL QUESTIONS

Why did Crete Public Schools institute a student drug-testing policy?

Crete Public Schools is concerned about the academic, physical, and emotional well-being of all its students and believes that it is responsible for assisting students in dealing with various teen issues, including drug and alcohol use. The drug-testing program is only one part of a comprehensive effort to ensure a safe and drug-free learning environment. It is designed to identify students in need of help and to provide them and their parents/guardians with the necessary resources to deal with substance abuse and other issues.

What are the overall objectives of the drug-testing program?

There are three main objectives of this program:

• Promotion of a Drug-Free Environment: Random drug testing encourages a safe and healthy school environment. This policy helps deter substance use, ensuring students can focus on their studies and extracurricular activities in a drug-free atmosphere.
• Early Intervention: Regular testing can help identify substance use issues early, allowing for the necessary support and intervention. We can help students get back on track by dealing with these issues promptly.
• Educational Impact: The policy is a valuable educational tool, allowing us to discuss the risks and implications of drug use with students, fostering better decision-making skills.

Which students will be subject to random drug testing?

Students participating in school-sponsored competitive extracurricular activities at the middle and high school (Grades 6-12) level are eligible for random testing. School-sponsored competitive extracurricular activities are activities that are sponsored or approved by the Board but are not offered for credit towards graduation and which involve competition, comparison, or judging of the individuals or groups with other individuals or groups as part of selection or participation. School-sponsored competitive extracurricular activities include but are not limited to athletic programs, unified sports, cheerleading, dance team, National Honor Society, academic teams, One-Act, Show-Choir, Quiz Bowl, Student Council, FBLA, FCCLA, FFA, HOSA, and Speech Team. All student drivers who apply for or are issued a CPS parking permit ("Parking Permit Holders") are also subject to this policy.

Students in band are not subject to random drug testing as it is an academic course in which a grade is received.

Students in 6th grade will be minimally impacted as there are limited if any, school-sponsored competitive extracurricular activities in which they can participate.

Does a student need to have a signed consent form authorizing participation in the random drug-testing program to try out for a competitive afterschool extracurricular activity or receive a CPS parking pass?

Yes. The student needs to have a random drug-testing consent form on file at the school that has been signed by both the student and parent/guardian to try out for a competitive afterschool extracurricular activity. However, if the student does not make the team or receive the position, he/she will not be placed into the random drug-testing pool for that activity. The student may already be in the pool if he/she has participated in another activity or has a CPS parking pass.

Who will provide the drug testing services?

Crete Public Schools has contracted with Sport Safe Testing Services to provide drug testing services.

What is the cost of drug testing to the District?

The District has budgeted $25,000 to cover all costs associated with the drug testing program.

What does the drug testing process include?

The drug testing procedure includes four steps: collection, screening, confirmation, and review.

What method of drug testing will be used?

Urinalysis will be the method used. This method, which is the most commonly used for drug- testing, is recommended because of its accuracy and reliability. 

How often will drug testing be done?

Drug testing will take place twice per month. Testing will occur once per month during shorter months (those including longer breaks).

Can a student be chosen for drug testing more than once?

Yes. Because the selection for drug testing is random and suspicionless, a student may be selected for drug testing more than once during the year.

What if my child ends his or her participation in the extracurricular activity in the middle of the year/season? Will they still be included in the drug-testing pool?

A student and parent must complete the “drop” form to be removed from the pool.  If a student still wishes to have a parking permit they will need to remain in the pool.

COLLECTION AND TESTING

Do parents have to sign a consent form for their child’s testing?

Yes. The parent and student must sign the consent form authorizing the student’s participation in the District’s drug-testing program to participate in extracurricular activities and/or hold a parking permit.

What if I don’t consent to my child being tested? Will they still be eligible to participate in extracurricular activities or have parking privileges?

No. To participate in a competitive extracurricular activity or have parking privileges, both the parent and the student must consent to drug testing.

How will students be selected for drug testing?

Selection for drug testing is random and suspicionless. Students identified for inclusion in drug testing will be placed in a pool from which random selections will be made. Sport Safe Testing will randomly select students from established pools using electronic methods.

What happens if a student is selected for drug testing and refuses to be tested?

If a student refuses to submit a urine sample, the situation will be ruled as a positive result, and the student will receive the same consequences as if s/he had tested positive.

If the student is chosen for drug testing but is absent that day, will he/she be tested upon returning to school?

Students absent on the day they are selected for drug testing will be replaced by another student from an alternate list and the absent student will be tested as part of that pool when they return to school. Any student who has been notified that he/she is selected for random testing but who, because of illness or any other legitimate reason, leaves school before the test is performed shall be included in the following campus random drug testing. After being notified that he/she has been selected for drug testing, a truant student will be considered tested positive.

Who will oversee the sample collection process?

Sport Safe Testing’s employees will oversee the collection of samples for testing.

How will the student’s privacy be ensured during collection?

The testing collection process will be conducted to protect student privacy, guard against tampered specimens, and ensure an accurate chain of custody of the specimen.  During the collection of a urine sample, a Sport Safe Testing employee is to wait outside a closed restroom and listen for the normal sounds of urination.  

Where on campus will the samples be collected?

Samples will be collected in a suitable restroom collaboratively chosen by the campus principal or designee and a representative from Sport Safe Testing—more than likely the nurse’s office.

How many samples will be taken?

One sample is collected, which will be divided into two parts in the student’s presence. Sample A will be used for the initial testing. If the test result of Sample A is positive for drugs or alcohol, a confirmation test will be conducted on Sample A. Sample B will be frozen and reserved for outside testing in the event of a challenge of the positive test result by the student or parent/guardian. All costs associated with the second half of the sample will be the responsibility of the student and parent/guardian.

For what substances will students be tested?

Substance Abuse Panel - (includes: Alcohol, Amphetamines, Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines (Valium), Cocaine, Marijuana, MDMA, Methadone, Opiates (Codeine), Oxycodone, Phencyclidine, Propoxyphene (Darvon), and Nicotine.

Will drug testing detect over-the-counter medications or prescription medications?

No. Over-the-counter medications are not targeted in the District’s drug-testing program.

CONFIRMATION AND REVIEW

What happens if a student tests positive for drugs/alcohol?

If a student tests positive, then the company chosen will first further test the specimen using Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) or other acceptable methodology. If the specimen still tests positive, the vendor will contact the student’s parent or guardian to determine whether there is an alternative medical explanation for the positive test result. Parents may choose to have the second half of the sample taken during the collection sent to a lab mutually agreed upon by the parent and vendor for independent testing. All costs associated with testing the second half of the sample will be the responsibility of the student and parent/guardian.

Will I receive a notification if my child tests negative?

No. Parents are only contacted if a student tests positive for drugs or alcohol.

What happens if my child receives a “false positive?”

There is no such thing as a false positive. A test result is either positive or negative. Parents will be contacted in the event of a positive test and asked if there is an alternative medical or other explanation for a positive result, i.e., a prescription medication.

Is there a confirmation test on the specimens that test positive on the immunological screening?

Yes. Any specimens that test positive will be confirmed by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) or other acceptable methodology.

How confidential are the drug-testing results?

All activities related to the testing policy will be carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), and any other applicable confidentiality laws.

Test results will be shared only with staff who have a legitimate educational interest in having access to the information on a “need-to-know” basis.  Test results will not be turned over to any law enforcement authority in the absence of a court order, subpoena, or other legal process requiring such. 

Test results will be kept in confidential files separate from the student’s other records.  The test results will be destroyed when no longer needed for individual student situations or the overall testing program.

CONSEQUENCES

What sanctions are imposed for a positive test?

The student’s parents or guardians will be contacted and a meeting will be held to discuss the positive test result, with the object of collaborating on a plan to assist the student in avoiding future substance abuse.

The Superintendent or his/her designee shall make the final determination on any questions regarding the interpretation of the dates of ineligibility and/or the timing of a student's ineligibility.  The student’s privilege of participating in extracurricular activities will be restricted as follows:

• For a first positive test, the student is ineligible to participate in any extracurricular activities for ten (10) school/activity days for students in grades 9-12 and five (5) school/activity days for students in grades (6-8).  The student may continue to participate in extracurricular activities if within five (5) school/activity days (grades 9-12) three (3) school/activity days (grades 6-8) of the meeting with the parents or guardians if the student shows proof that the student is receiving substance abuse counseling with a qualified professional and submits to a second drug test within two (2) weeks.
• For a second positive test, the student is ineligible to participate in any extracurricular activity for twenty (20) school/activity days for students in grades (9-12) and ten (10) school/activity days for students in grades (6-8).  To return to participation, the student must complete substance abuse counseling as and to the extent determined appropriate by a qualified professional, and in any event for no less than four (4) hours, and must submit to five (5) follow up drug tests during the next twelve (12) month period.  Once the initial four hours of substance abuse counseling have been completed the student may return to participation.
• For a third positive test, the student is ineligible to participate in any extracurricular activity for sixty (60) calendar days during the current school year.  If all activities in which the student participates cease before the end of the suspension, the remainder of the suspension will carry over to the following year’s activities until the student completes the required number of days; and the student must submit to drug testing at a minimum of once a month for the next 12 months or end upon graduation from Crete High School.
• For a fourth positive test, the student is ineligible to participate for the remainder of the student’s time as a student enrolled in Crete Public Schools.

The student’s privilege for obtaining a CPS parking permit will be restricted as follows:

• For a first positive test, the student’s parking permit will be suspended for twenty (20) school days.  The suspension will be reduced to ten (10) school days if the student shows proof they are receiving substance abuse counseling with a qualified professional and submits to a second drug test within two (2) weeks.
• For a second positive test, the student’s parking permit will be suspended for twenty (30) school days. For the parking permit to be reinstated, the student must complete substance abuse counseling as and to the extent determined appropriate by a qualified professional, and in any event for no less than four (4) hours, and must submit to five (5) follow up drug tests during the next twelve (12) month period.  Once the initial four hours of substance abuse counseling have been completed, the student’s parking permit may be reinstated.
• For a third positive test, the student’s parking permit will be revoked for the remainder of the student’s time as a student enrolled in Crete Public Schools

Is there an appeals process?

Yes. If the parent/guardian/custodian or student wish to contest the results, the vendor will arrange for the split portion of the specimen to be submitted to another SAMHSA certified laboratory for reconfirmation. This is done at parent/guardian/custodian or student expense. Such a request must be made to the building principal in writing within two (2) workings days from the first notification of positive test results.

Results of the re-test will be provided to the Superintendent or designee by the approved laboratory. During the appeal period, the student may not participate in school-sponsored extracurricular activities.

In the event a student or the student’s parents or guardians wish to challenge a positive test result on a basis other than the veracity of the test result, an appeal may be made in accordance with the policy on extracurricular activity discipline.

Are there disciplinary consequences for testing positive?

None other than the consequences listed above. The drug testing policy is intended to identify those students in need of assistance in dealing with drug and alcohol issues. Students who test positive for drugs or alcohol will not receive any additional disciplinary consequences. The result of testing positive for drugs or alcohol is the loss of competitive afterschool extracurricular activity privileges and/or obtaining parking permits as previously described.

Does a student testing positive provide “reasonable suspicion to conduct a locker or vehicle search”?

No. The only consequences of testing positive are suspension from participation in competitive afterschool extracurricular activities and/or loss of driving privileges, as previously described.

Will law enforcement be notified or intervene in any way in case of a positive result?

No. As previously described, the only consequences of testing positive are suspension from participation in competitive afterschool extracurricular activities and/or loss of driving privileges.

How can a student get help if they are struggling with substance use?

The school has resources available for students dealing with substance use issues, including confidential counseling services. We encourage any student needing help to contact a counselor, teacher, or administrator.