HERMITAGE SCHOOLS Drug testing up for debate for new workers, volunteers

There are no plans to test current school employees.
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- The Hermitage School Board is considering a drug-testing program for all new employees and volunteers.
It would be a required pre-employment test done at the expense of the prospective employee, except for volunteers. The district would pick up the estimated $35 cost of the test for that group.
The board introduced the policy at its meeting Monday, and it could come up for final approval at the Oct. 20 meeting.
The policy would apply to all people offered positions in the district, from administrators to volunteer coaches.
"It's something board members have been talking about for some time," said Duane Piccirilli, board president.
Setting an example
He said it is important when working with young people to be a role model. Going through drug testing would present that positive example, he said.
There has been no discussion about requiring drug testing of current employees, Piccirilli said, noting that would be an issue subject to negotiations.
Superintendent Karen Ionta said some other districts are looking at pre-employment drug testing as well.
There are still some procedural issues to be addressed, such as whether a person who fails a test once can reapply for a job later, she said. The school district solicitor will meet with the board to discuss those issues before the measure comes up for final approval, Ionta said.
Under the plan, the test would require that a urine sample be submitted to a certified laboratory selected by the district. The procedure will test for opiates, cocaine, marijuana and hashish, amphetamines, barbiturates and other narcotics and hallucinogens.
The district won't get specific results but know only whether a prospective employee passed or failed the test.
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