The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education voted against a policy change that would have allowed the district to hire applicants who test positive for cannabis.
The district’s current policy states that candidates with positive drug tests would not be eligible for employment for six months. If they reapply later and pass their next test, they could be hired.
The proposed change would have cut the waiting period for positions that don’t require operation of school vehicles. Instead, those candidates would have to undergo up to four more random tests in their first year, at their own expense — about $55 each time.
At the meeting on Tuesday, Chief Human Resource Officer Chris Weikart said part of the rationale for the update was that CBD and other hemp products, which can trigger a positive test, are legal. Candidates may also be coming from surrounding states that allow recreational marijuana use.
“We're not saying that we agree with that decision making," Weikart said. "What we are saying is, once they become employed, that we're going to give them the opportunity to live up to our standards.”
He also said the majority of nearby school districts including Guilford, Surry and Wake, don’t do pre-employment drug testing at all for most positions. But several public speakers, like Jason Lucero, had concerns.
"We should never compromise and allow incompetent people to be responsible for our children. I hope we agree on that," Lucero said. "Lowering our hiring standards to allow people that fail drug tests is not the answer. It's not the issue we have in our school district.”
On the other hand, one speaker, Tiffany Drew, argued that the additional drug testing requirement was evidence that the district wasn’t lowering their standards.
“That would mean education professionals who accept the job offer are agreeing to avoid THC products and are willing to pay from their own pocket multiple times to prove it," she said. "That sounds like dedication to the job to me.”
Some school board members, like Susan Miller, were flat-out against the change.
"They know the drug is illegal, at least in this state, and they know they're going to be tested," Miller said. "So why would they come in all drugged up?"
Others suggested setting a range of acceptable THC levels, and retesting applicants sooner rather than later. Ultimately, the majority voted to reject the proposal.
Amy Diaz covers education for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. You can follow her on Twitter at @amydiaze.