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NONSUBSTANTIVE CHANGE: DATE
5145.124P
STUDENTS
USE OF ALCOHOL DETECTION DEVICES
A. Introduction
The Colchester Board of Education is committed to promoting safe and
substance-free school sponsored activities and events both on and off school
grounds, The Colchester Board of Education adopts this policy for all students
enrolled in our schools and their guests who attend school-sponsored events.
This policy will cover all school sponsored activities and events where prior
notice has been given whether conducted on or off school grounds.
1. No alcoholic or intoxicating beverages of any kind are permitted in any
building or at any event or activity authorized by the Board of Education
at any time.
2. The consumption of alcoholic or intoxicating beverages immediately prior
to or during any school sponsored event or activity on or off school
grounds is strictly prohibited by the Board of Education.
Therefore, in order to promote a safe environment for our students and their
guests at school sponsored and/or Board authorized activities and events, the
school administration and/or designee is authorized to employ the use of both
“passive” and/or active alcohol detection devices.
The Superintendent shall work with school administrators to develop a process
and timeline to reasonably ensure reliability of the screening instrument used
according to manufacturer’s guidelines, appropriate training of administrators
and designated personnel, student privacy during the taking of the sample and
security of the sample once obtained. Results of any breathalyzer testing will be
maintained in a confidential manner.
B. Prior Notification
It is the responsibility of the school administration to provide prior notice of the
use of alcohol detection devices to the attendees of Board of Education
USE OF ALCOHOL DETECTION DEVICES Page 1 of 2
authorized events. Prior notice will include, but is not limited to, notification in
the student/parent-guardian handbook, notification at school-wide assemblies,
notification on event specific advertisements and/or tickets, and notification on
guest permission forms.
C. Refusal to Screen
Students and/or their guest who refuse to submit to alcohol detection screening
at events where prior notice has been given will not be permitted to attend the
Board of Education authorized activity. No refunds will be provided to these
students or their guests. Parents/Guardians of these students will be contacted
and informed of their refusal to screen.
D. Students Testing Positive
Students who test positive for consumption of alcoholic and/or intoxicating
beverages will be subject to disciplinary action consistent with the Board’s
Discipline Policy #5144 and Drugs and Alcohol/Tobacco Policy #5131.6. Their
parents/guardians will be immediately called to pick the student up from the
school-sponsored event.
E. Breathalyzers During the School Day
Trained school personnel may ask that a student submit to a breathalyzer test
during the school day if, after careful evaluation, there is reasonable suspicion
that a student may be under the influence of alcohol while in attendance at
school. The breathalyzer test will be administered as noted above, with an
opportunity for a second test after 10 minutes. If the student tests positive for a
second time, their parents will be called and the student will face disciplinary
consequences consistent with the Board’s Discipline Policy #5144 and Drugs and
Alcohol/Tobacco Policy #5131.6.
POLICY ADOPTED: November 9, 2010
REVISED: December 12, 2013
REVISED: March 9, 2021
COLCHESTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Colchester, Connecticut
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