PRE-EMPLOYMENT PROCEDURES FOR BUS DRIVERS
All advertisements must include a statement that explains the position of a driver in the Independence Community School District is subject to drug and alcohol testing to include pre-employment testing. Should the potential employee already be under a recognized or approved Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) testing program, the pre-employment testing may be waived at the discretion of the superintendent/designee. The potential employee must provide proof of participation in such a program (403.7E2). A potential employee that is not currently under another approved testing program must consent to release any and all drug and alcohol related information records (403.7E3) from any previous employer dating back 24 months as well as be subject to pre-employment testing.
All potential drivers will be given training on controlled substances and alcohol use by the transportation director prior to being eligible for driving duties. This training will consist of a self study of the “Drug and Alcohol Training Handbook” developed by the D.O.T. Upon completion of this self study, the potential employee will sign off on the Drug and Alcohol Acknowledgement Form (403.7E4) in the presence of the transportation director that they have read and understand the contents of the handbook. The transportation director will receive all acknowledgement forms and maintain a confidential file on the drug and alcohol testing program for each employee under this program. Records will be maintained for a minimum of five years.
The transportation director will coordinate all testing with an approved D.O.T. provider. Should a potential employee test positive or they have refused to any part of the above, mentioned procedures, they will not be considered for employment.
EMPLOYMENT PROCEDURES FOR BUS DRIVERS
All bus drivers are subject to random testing at any time throughout the calendar year. Quarterly random testing will be done. Should a bus driver be involved in an accident while operating a school vehicle (CMV), the school district will test each surviving driver for alcohol and controlled substances when either:
- The accident involved a FATALITY; or
- The driver RECEIVED A CITATION under state or local law for a moving traffic violation arising from the accident, and either ONE or BOTH of the following OCCURRED in the accident:
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- Bodily injury requiring immediate medical treatment away from the scene.
- One or more of the motor vehicles incurred disabling damage requiring it to be towed from the scene by another motor vehicle or tow truck.
REASONABLE SUSPICION
Should a bus driver’s behavior be questioned as potentially being under the influence, it is recommended that there be two witnesses to the behavior, but it is not required. When considering reasonable suspicion, only the transportation director/designee is authorized to request the test be administered. It is important to note that only those who have received the U.S. D.O.T. training may request this test. A driver can be notified for a reasonable suspicion test only just before, during, or just after performing a safety sensitive function (within 30 minutes). When it is believed reasonable suspicion exists, it is important to meet with the driver in private and document the observations leading to the reasonable suspicion test (403.7E5). Upon completion of the meeting, the transportation director may notify the program provider for a test to be administered. Failure by the employee to submit to the test will be considered grounds for termination with the Independence Community School District.
