Alcohol, Drugs and Other Substances

The Board of Education is committed to the prevention of alcohol and any other drug use. It is the policy of the Livonia Central School district that an alcohol and other drug-free environment be maintained.

No person may manufacture, use, possess or distribute alcohol or any other drug, use or possess drug paraphernalia, on school grounds, in school vehicles or at school-sponsored events. The School Nurse must administer all drugs prescribed for a student by a physician. The term "alcohol and other drugs" shall be construed throughout this policy to refer to, but is not limited to, substances such as alcohol, inhalants, marijuana, cocaine, LSD, PCP, amphetamines, heroin, steroids, "look-a-likes", and any of those substances commonly referred to as "designer drugs." The inappropriate use of prescription and over-the-counter drugs shall also be prohibited. All provisions of this policy also extend and apply to Policy #5640, Smoking and Tobacco Use.

Additionally, any person exhibiting behavior, conduct, personal or physical characteristics indicative of having used or consumed alcohol or any other drug, or any person school personnel have reasonable grounds to suspect has used alcohol or any other drug shall be prohibited from entering school grounds or school-sponsored events.

Since alcohol and other drugs are illegal on school property and interfere with both effective learning and the healthy development of school-aged children, the Livonia Central School District supports early intervention/treatment.

To support this policy with respect to the students, the District will:

a) Provide age appropriate, developmentally based alcohol and other drug education programs for all students at all grade levels. Such programs will address the legal, social, and health consequences of alcohol and other drug use and provide information about effective techniques for resisting pressure to use alcohol or other drugs.

b) Require an active prevention/intervention and disciplinary program which shall promote a safe and responsive learning climate for students, is responsive to the sensitive nature of the problems related to alcohol and other drug use and abuse, and respects individuals and families.

c) Provide for ongoing training of District staff in the area of alcohol and other drug prevention and the component of asset building.

d) Provide written standards of conduct with clear sanctions for their violation to each student, parent, and District employee.

e) Provide ongoing review of all components of an alcohol and other drug program to ensure effectiveness and implement changes to the program when indicated.

Policy pertaining to Tobacco, Alcohol, or Drugs:

a) Extra-curricular Activities: Policy will be in effect starting on the first day of the start of any activity.

b) Fall Sport Athletes: Policy will be in effect starting on the first day of the fall sport season until the first day of the winter sport season.

c) Winter Sport Athlete: Policy will be in effect starting on the first day of the winter sport season until the first day of the spring sport season.

d) Spring Sport Athletes: Policy will be in effect during the spring sport season.

I. FIRST OFFENSE for a student possessing, or being under the influence of alcohol or other drugs on school grounds, at a school-sponsored activity, or in a School District vehicle.

a) Law enforcement authorities and other medical or social agencies will be contacted as necessary.

b) Parent(s) or guardian(s) will be contacted and asked to come to school to meet with their child, the principal or his/her designees to review re-entry procedures, and then accompany their child. If the parent(s) or guardian(s) refuse to comply, 911 or child protective services will be called.

c) Subject to due process set forth in the Education Law and Commissioner's Regulations and Decisions, the student will have an option of an out-of-school suspension or a self-referral for a chemical use assessment requiring a complete follow-through for all recommendations as a result of the assessment.

d) The student will receive a 25% suspension from extracurricular activities in which the individual is currently participating. Penalties will be carried over to the next extracurricular activity in which the student participates.

e) A Livonia Central School District No-Use Contract will be signed and will be kept on file.

f) If the student does not follow through with the assessment and treatment recommendations, the student will be subject to a school suspension.

g) Penalties will be carried over to the next season or activity in which the student participates.

NOTE: If the student chooses not to complete the above requirements, he/she will receive a one (1) calendar year suspension from all extracurricular participation.

• Any offense as noted herein is cumulative throughout the time the student attends the District.

II. SECOND OFFENSE for a student possessing or being under the influence of alcohol or other drugs on school grounds, at a school-sponsored activity, or in a School District vehicle:

a) All procedures will be followed as for the First Offense except that:

1. The student will be referred to the Principal for a possible Superintendent's hearing.

2. The student will need to complete all of the requirements stated in the first offense before being reinstated in extracurricular participation.

3. The student will receive a 50% suspension from all extracurricular activities that he/she is participating in.

III. THIRD OFFENSE for a student possessing or being under the influence of alcohol or other drugs on school grounds, at a school sponsored activity, or in a School District vehicle.

a) All procedures will be followed as for the First Offense except that:

1. A fact-finding committee will gather all pertinent information regarding the severity of the third offense and report to the Superintendent.

2. The student will be referred for a Superintendent's hearing.

3. The consequences for a third level offense may result in a student losing all extracurricular participation for the remainder of his or her school experience. This level offense could also result in expulsion from school.

IV. STUDENTS WHO SELF-REFER TO SCHOOL FACULTY OR PARENT OR GUARDIAN FOR ASSISTANCE IN DEALING WITH THEIR ALCOHOL OR OTHER DRUG USE:

If a student self-refers for assistance in dealing with his/her alcohol or other drug use, he/she will be referred to the Substance Abuse Coordinator or school counselor and the student support team. Amnesty from discipline will continue as long as a student follows his/her recommended intervention program. A No-Use Contract will be signed but will not constitute an offense. If the student does not follow his/her recommended treatment program, he/she will be subject to the foregoing regulations regarding extracurricular activities. This section does not apply to a student being investigated under preceding clauses. This is a one time only amnesty arrangement that is valid for only one such reported incident.

V. MANUFACTURE, SALE, OR DISTRIBUTION OF ALCOHOL OR OTHER DRUGS BY STUDENTS:

The district will not tolerate the manufacture, sale, or distribution of alcohol or other drugs by students on school grounds. Students who participate in illegal sale or distribution will be dealt with as follows:

a) Law enforcement authorities will be called.

b) A Superintendent's hearing may result in suspension or expulsion from school.

Searches and Interrogations

Students are protected by the Constitution from unreasonable searches and seizures. A student may be searched and contraband seized on school grounds or in a school building by a School District employee only when a School District employee has reasonable cause to believe the student is engaging in proscribed activity which is in violation of school rules and/or illegal.

Factors to be considered in determining whether reasonable cause exists to search a student include:

a) The age of the student;

b) The student's record and past history;

c) The predominance and seriousness of the problem in the school where the search is directed; and

d) The urgency to conduct the search without delay.

If reasonable cause exists to believe that a student possesses a weapon, it is permissible for a School District employee to frisk that student.

Lockers

Lockers are provided by the school for student use, and the administration has the right to search lockers. A student may have exclusive use of a locker as far as other students are concerned, but he/she does not have such exclusivity over the locker against the school authorities.

Law Enforcement Officials

It shall be the policy of the Livonia Central School District that a cooperative effort shall be maintained between the school administration and law enforcement agencies. Law enforcement officials may be summoned in order to conduct an investigation of alleged criminal conduct on school premises, during a school-sponsored activity, or to maintain the educational environment. They may also be summoned for the purpose of maintaining or restoring order when the presence of such officers is necessary to prevent injury to persons or property.

Administrators have the responsibility and the authority to determine when the assistance of law enforcement officers is necessary within their respective jurisdictions. The School District's administrators shall, at all times, act in a manner that protects and guarantees the rights of students and parents.

It shall be the policy of this School District that police authorities must have a warrant to interrogate students in school buildings or on school grounds, except in cases involving suspected child abuse. If the police wish to speak to a student without a warrant, they should take the matter up directly with the student's parent/legal guardians.

Student

I have read the requirement for participation in extracurricular activities and athletics for the Livonia Central School District. These requirements include: Policy #7412: Academic Eligibility; Policy #7320: Alcohol and Other Drug Policy; Policy #5640: Smoking/Tobacco Use; and Policy #7421: Athletic Policy. In addition, I agree to refrain, in all situations, from the use of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs. In the event that I violate this agreement, I understand that I will be disciplined in accordance with the three offenses/consequences rule as outlined in these policies. I understand the provisions as stated and agree to abide by these provisions while a member of the

Sport or extracurricular activity

Student signature Date

Parent

I have read the No-Use Contract form in its entirety. I have reviewed it with my child. I agree to cooperate with Livonia Central School in enforcing it as it applies to my child.

I give permission for him/her to participate in:

Sport or extracurricular activity

To the best of my knowledge, there is no known health condition or previous injury that could endanger my child's personal safety and/or welfare.

Parent(s) or legal guardian(s) signature Date

Parent(s) or legal guardian(s) signature Date

Note:

Students can participate in extracurricular activities/athletics only after signing this No-Use contract.

Coaches and advisors are responsible for routine discipline. Major violations will result in discipline as outlined by school officials. Any student who is accused of violating Livonia School Policies is entitled to due process before any penalties are imposed.