Random Drug, Alcohol Testing Suspended At Hillsborough Schools
HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Random drug and alcohol testing is temporarily suspended for Hillsborough Township students involved in extra-curricular programs as the district looks to improve its policy.
During the Board of Education(BOE) Monday meeting, Board President Paul Marini shared that the Governance Committee discussed data on the effectiveness and ineffectiveness of the random drug testing policy.
“The Governance Committee unanimously voted to continue the suspension of Policy 5131 for random drug testing and [Superintendent Michael] Volpe will review the policy with the Board Attorney and look for an update to that policy with some recommendations,” said Marini.
Find out what's happening in Hillsboroughwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Volpe clarified that the policy still remains but it has “been temporarily abandoned” by the governance committee.
“What the Governance Committee has asked me to do is work with the High School administration to see if they can come up with a better policy that may eventually replace this. If not, the random drug testing may be reimplemented. That’s where we are right now,” said Volpe.
Find out what's happening in Hillsboroughwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Once a new policy is established the Governance Committee would then review it before it goes before the BOE. Two full readings of the policy would be held before a final vote and before it went into effect.
This policy only impacts students involved in extra-curricular programs, including all clubs and those who participate in student parking. It does not impact student-athletes who will continue to be subject to random drug testing as part of NJSIAA: New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association’s rules.
“The random drug testing has nothing to do with athletes. We have to comply with the rules for sports,” said Marini. “Basically what happens is the state randomly selects schools and I think we give a list of students by ID number and they randomly select students to be tested. That policy by participating in the NJSIAA we have to comply with. But other than that this would be the random club student policy.”
See below for the current Policy 5131 which has been temporarily suspended:
Random Drug and Alcohol Testing
The Hillsborough Township School District acknowledges its responsibility to provide the most conducive learning environment for all students and recognizes that, unless schools and their students are substance free, the best conditions for learning do not exist. School-based initiatives have proven particularly effective in recognizing and remediating students development of alcohol or other drug issues, and the district will take the necessary and appropriate steps to protect the school community from harm and from exposure to harmful substances.
In order to do this, the district has approved a random drug testing policy for students involved in extra-curricular programs, including all clubs and athletic programs, and those who participate in student parking. The purpose of this program is directed toward deterrence and remediation. The policy is not intended to be disciplinary or punitive in nature as indicated by existing court decisions as it relates to the loss of instructional time. No pupil shall be expelled or suspended from school as a sole result of any verified test conducted by the school under the Random Drug Testing Program. This policy also complies with the confidentiality requirements established in federal regulations and state provisions as found in 42 CFR Part II and N.J.S.A. 18A:40A-12, respectively.
Periodically throughout the year, randomly generated student ID numbers will be pulled for testing with the goal of testing approximately 10% of the student population involved in extra-curricular activities, athletics, and student parking. Parents may also opt to have their children included in the Random Drug Testing Program, even if they do not participate in clubs, athletics, or parking.
Eligibility and Withdrawal:
Testing:
Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.
Click Here: Kanken Backpack
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.