• Two school employees test positive for drugs after system adds random drug testing to mandatory tests.

By FULLER ROYAL
Staff Writer

While drug testing of employees was adopted as policy by the Whiteville City Schools Board of Education in 1995, it hasn’t been used for much more than the annual testing of school bus drivers, coaches (who regularly drive activity buses to and from sporting events) and new employees.

Recently, the school board decided to follow through with the full extent and intent of that policy by performing random drug tests, as well as several drug tests “for cause” on existing employees.
The result?

Two school employees tested positive.

Superintendent Randall Shaver said Friday that the names could not be released because it’s a personnel matter.

He said that the state allows for drug testing at random and “for cause.”

“For cause” testing can occur following the reports or observation of suspicious behavior.

For the random testing, the school system uses a computer to select the candidates.

Shaver said the employees who failed the test have the option of appealing or having their own tests performed.

One of the employees is not appealing.

If the second employee opts for his or her own test, then passes it and appeals, Shaver said the board would take that into consideration.

Several other school systems in the state have undertaken random drug testing of teachers this year.