Midlothian Independent School District

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Drug Testing FAQ

Why has MISD reintroduced the drug testing policy?

The safety and well-being of our students is always the top priority for our administrators, principals and teachers. In an effort to help our students make wise and healthy choices, as well as reduce peer pressure to use illegal substances, the district has reintroduced and refined its random drug testing policy. This new policy goes into effect for the 2018-19 school year.
 

Who is subject to random drug testing?

Any high school student who participates in extracurricular activities, as well as students who hold a campus parking permit is subject to the random student drug testing program. This includes students who participate in interscholastic academics/athletics, cheerleading, drill team, theatre, band, choir, and ag, and any other activity or group that participates in contests, competitions, or community service projects on behalf of or as a representative of the District, whether UIL sanctioned or not.
 

What is the purpose of the consent form and where does my child turn in his/her signed consent form?

The purpose of the consent form is to communicate MISD’s drug testing policy with our parents and students. This consent form will be included in the student’s online registration packet.


How will students be chosen for testing?

MISD has contracted with a third-party testing company that uses a software program to randomly choose a list of students to be tested at various times throughout the school year. The MISD school administration will not be involved in the selection process for testing.
 

How will students be tested?

Students will provide a urine sample to a certified A&D technician of the same gender. Samples will be taken under conditions that are no more intrusive to students than the conditions experienced in a public restroom. Students will provide their samples in the privacy of a restroom stall.


What drugs will be detected by the test?

Drugs detected by the test include marijuana, cocaine, methaqualone, benzodiazepines, PCP, methadone, barbiturates, propoxyphene, amphetamines, opiates, and metabolites of any of these substances.
 

What happens if a student tests positive?

All positive results must be confirmed by a second, more definitive, test before being reported as positive. The same sample will be used to conduct the second test. When there is a positive, confirmed test result, the following steps will be taken:

  1. The school official to whom results are reported will notify the principal and extracurricular program director.
  2. The principal or district administrator will notify the student’s parent/guardian, the student, and the sponsor or coach of the affected activity. The principal will inform the parent of the opportunity to respond to a positive test. The principal will schedule a meeting with the appropriate campus counselor, the parent/guardian, and the student to develop a plan of assistance for the student.
  3. At the meeting, the principal will give the student and parent a copy of the test results and provide them an opportunity to offer an explanation for the results. Parents may also request a retest of the original specimen to confirm the results, but the retest will be at the parent’s expense. A request to retest must be made in writing within 48 hours of the meeting with the principal, and payment for the retest must be included with the request.
     

Will results be reported to law enforcement?

No, results of any drug test administered under MISD’s drug testing policy will be used only to determine eligibility for participation in school-sponsored extracurricular activities.


Will results become part of a student’s educational record or be reported to teachers/district staff?

No, results will not be placed in student records. Results are kept confidential and disclosed only to the student, his/her parent/guardian, and school officials with a need to know (as designated by the Superintendent). Test results will not be provided to districts outside of MISD for any reason, including through the withdrawal process.


Will students be punished apart from becoming ineligible for extracurricular activities?

No, there will be no other action taken against the student except for the discipline outlined in our drug testing policy.


How can parents appeal a removal from extracurricular activities?

An appeal of the sanction may be instituted by the parent by giving written notice to the appropriate campus principal within five days. The student shall be ineligible for participation pending the appeal. All appeals shall utilize the procedures in FNG(LOCAL).
 

What if a student is taking drugs prescribed by a doctor that cause them to test positive?

Should a student test positive, parents/guardians will have the opportunity to provide their child’s medical records to show the need for a prescribed drug that could show up on the drug test.
 

Is there a possibility of false positives on the test?

A false positive is not likely, but as part of the policy, any positive result requires a retest with a second, more definitive, test.
 

If a student does test positive and it is confirmed they have been using drugs, will they be able to participate in extracurricular activities again?

For the first offense:

  • Parent and student will attend a District conference.
  • The student will participate in 2 District counseling sessions within 15 school days. If the student does not participate in the District counseling sessions within the 15 day timeframe, he or she shall be suspended for 15 school days from participation in extracurricular activities and/or parking on school property.
  • The student shall be retested on the next random test date.
     

For the second offense:

  • Parent and student will attend a District conference.
  • The student will participate in required District counseling sessions.
  • The student shall be removed from participation in extracurricular activities and/or parking on school property for 90 school days.
  • The student shall be retested on the next random test date.
     

The third offense:

  • Parent and student will attend a District conference.
  • The student will be suspended from participation in any extracurricular activity and/or parking on school property shall be suspended, for the remainder of the student’s enrollment in MISD.
  • The student and parents shall be encouraged to seek intervention and counseling.
     

Will the test detect steroids?

The drug panel does not include steroids at this time.


What if a parent or guardian refuses to sign the consent form?

Without a signed consent form on file, a student will not be allowed to participate in any school-sponsored extracurricular activity or park a vehicle on school property.


What happens if a student refuses to be tested?

A student who refuses to be tested on a designated test date, who tampers with any sample, or who assists others in tampering with any sample shall be subject to the same consequences as a student having a confirmed positive test result.
 

Will advance notice be given when the district plans to conduct testing?

No. Students will not be notified in advance of any drug test.
 

Why are students who park on campus also included in this policy?

Parking on campus is a privilege extended to students, and is subject to the same initial and random drug testing requirements as students who participate in school-sponsored extracurricular activities.
 

In addition to any other sanctions that may be imposed based on a student driver’s participation in school-sponsored extracurricular activities, a student who has a positive test result shall not be permitted to park on school property for the same number of school days in which the student is prohibited from participation in extracurricular activities. After satisfactory completion of the appropriate sanction provided above and upon subsequent testing with a negative test result, the student shall be permitted to park on school property.