Smoke and Mirrors

It's smoke and mirrors when the Brecksville Board of Education says public use of alcohol is alright.       
from the Board’s Proposal, Section 23. B:

“In cases involving the use of illicit drugs or alcohol off school premises, the initial disciplinary action shall be the completion of an appropriate awareness and/or rehabilitation program approved by the Board as determined by the Superintendent with input from the Chemical Dependency Coordinator and the B.E.A. President.”  (“off school premises” is language added by this board.)

This is an over-reach by the Board to intrude on the personal lives of staff members and an imposition by the Board of an unreasonable moral standard, where there has been no evidence or support where such activity has impacted the students or the staff’s delivery of services to the students.

Mr. Dosen and Mr. Tryon have repeatedly said this is not what they meant, and Mr. Tryon at the July 17 board meeting said that this is easily changed with a word or two.  This board has had since April to make such a language change and has not.  There have been no tentative agreements signed, although this could have been one.  There have been no counter-proposals.  No movement on the boards part, even with an issue such as, this shows the board has not bargained in good faith.  

Without changing/clarifying the language on this issue, the board has free reign to impose disciplinary action of any staff member who drinks alcohol off of school premises.

Note:  The staff is committed to a drug/alcohol-free workplace, and agree that all teachers must refrain from the use, distribution, or possession of illicit drugs, whether on or off school premises, as well as any use of alcoholic substances that:  1) interferes with job performance; or 2) results in a violation of state or federal laws while on school property or while teaching, coaching, and/or supervising students under the direction of the Board.