Possessing, using or being under the influence of any controlled substance, look-alike, substitute, or any substance represented to be a controlled substance or an alcoholic beverage (other than medication prescribed by the individual student's licensed health care provider and which is taken in accordance with the licensed health care provider directions) and manufacturing, possessing, or selling drug paraphernalia and/or apparatus used for controlled substances are strictly prohibited while a student is on any school property or under school supervision. This includes attendance in school or at a school-sponsored function.
As used in this policy, the term “possessing” means:
- that the student has actual physical control of the prohibited substance because it is on or in the student’s body, in a locker individually assigned to the student, or in an item of personal property belonging to the student (including, but not limited to, a bookbag, backpack, or purse), or
- that the student knows that a prohibited substance is located within a vehicle or a place (such as a house or an apartment) where the student is present and that the student can exercise physical control over the prohibited substance. If a student has left school property during his/her normally scheduled time to be in school or while under school supervision, the student will be considered in school and will be subject to disciplinary procedures listed below.
Any student violating the provisions of this policy during enrollment in grades preschool through sixth or seventh through twelfth in Clarinda Community School District (CCSD) will be subject to the following disciplinary procedures and will be provided information and the option to take part in the CCSD substance abuse/healthy lifestyles program above and beyond the violation expectations:
First Offense:
- Parents or guardians are notified by mail and phone.
- The violation is referred to law enforcement authorities.
- The student is placed on a five-day out-of-school suspension. Prior to returning to school, parents or guardians will be scheduled to meet with school officials.
- Before readmittance, a parent/guardian conference is required at which evidence of a substance abuse program or healthy lifestyles program evaluation approved by CCSD must be furnished.
- Within 30 days of the incident, the family must meet with appropriate school officials to review the rehabilitation plan developed as a result of the chemical abuse evaluation, counseling or treatment program.
- Failure to comply with the steps listed may result in a recommendation for additional disciplinary consequences to the Board of Education, unless the student is protected by provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Second Offenses:
- Parents or guardians are notified by mail and phone.
- The violation is referred to law enforcement authorities.
- The student is placed on an eight-day out-of-school suspension. Prior to returning to school, parents or guardians will be scheduled to meet with school officials.
- Parents or guardians are notified by mail and phone.
- The violation is referred to law enforcement authorities.
- The student is placed on an eight-day out-of-school suspension. Prior to returning to school, parents or guardians will be scheduled to meet with school officials.
- Before readmittance, a parent/guardian conference is required at which evidence of an evaluation and 3 scheduled meetings with a substance abuse program or healthy lifestyles program approved by CCSD must be furnished.
- Within 30 days of the incident, the family must meet with appropriate school officials to review the rehabilitation plan developed as a result of the substance abuse evaluation, counseling or treatment program.
- Failure to comply with the steps listed may result in a recommendation for additional disciplinary consequences to the Board of Education, unless the student is protected by provisions of the IDEA.
Third and Subsequent Offenses:
- Parents or guardians are notified by mail and phone.
- The violation is referred to law enforcement authorities.
- The student will be recommended to the Board of Education for removal from school and placement in an alternate setting (i.e. an approved online program) for 20 school days, unless the student is protected by provisions of IDEA, in which case the Superintendency will determine if such a suspension is appropriate.
- In lieu of the 20-day suspension described above, the student, parents or guardians, and the Superintendency may enter into an agreement that the student be placed on a 10-day out-of-school suspension provided that the student enrolls and successfully participates in a substance abuse program or healthy lifestyles program approved by CCSD. If the student violates the terms of the agreement, then the recommendation for 20-day suspension will be reinstated, less any suspension days already served.
- After 20 day long term suspension and before readmittance, a parent/guardian conference is required at which evidence must be furnished of a scheduled substance abuse evaluation, counseling or treatment program.
- After 20 day long term suspension and before readmittance, a parent/guardian conference is required at which evidence must be furnished of a scheduled substance abuse evaluation, counseling or treatment program.
- Within 30 days of the incident, the family must meet with appropriate school officials to review the rehabilitation plan developed as a result of the substance evaluation, counseling or treatment program.
- Failure to comply with the steps listed may result in a recommendation for additional disciplinary consequences to the Board of Education, unless the student is protected by provisions of the IDEA.
The sale or distribution, attempted sale or distribution and/or purchase or acquisition with the intent to sell or distribute by a student of any prohibited substance (“prohibited substance” defined for purposes of this policy to mean any alcoholic beverage, controlled substances, look-alike, substitute, or any substitute represented to be an alcoholic beverage or a controlled substance) is strictly prohibited while the student is on any school property or under school supervision. This includes attendance in school or at a school-sponsored function.
A student may be considered to have an intent to sell or distribute a prohibited substance if evidence or testimony is obtained by the school administration that supports the finding that a student intended to sell or distribute a prohibited substance.
Any student violating the provisions of this policy will be subject to the following disciplinary procedures:
- The parents or guardians are notified by mail and phone.
- The violation is referred to law enforcement authorities.
- The student is placed on an out-of-school suspension and will be recommended for long term suspension or expulsion to the Board of Education, unless the student is protected by provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (I.D.E.A.), in which case the Superintendency will determine if a long term suspension or expulsion hearing before the Board is appropriate.
If a student has left school property during his/her normally scheduled time to be in school or while under school supervision, the student will be considered in school and will be subject to the above procedures.
Students who violate the terms of this policy may be required to satisfactorily complete a substance abuse assistance or rehabilitation program acceptable by the board.
Information received from students and/or parents who voluntarily seek help from school authorities concerning the student's use of alcohol and/or controlled substances before being found to be in violation of the provisions of this policy, will be maintained in confidence to the maximum extent possible and will not serve as a basis for disciplinary actions. However, this does not provide immunity for disciplinary action should students continue to use or possess or be under the influence of alcohol and/or controlled substances provided here. The Superintendent in consultation with the Board President has the discretion to alter the disciplinary consequences specified in this policy for students in preschool through twelfth grade.
