Lynn proposes drug testing for temp school hires

LYNN – Temporary hires entering the Lynn public schools are currently not required to undergo drug testing, but with a proposed policy in the works, that may soon change.At Thursday’s School Committee meeting, Attorney John Mihos said he was surprised by his findings regarding drug testing policies at area schools for the hiring of day-to-day substitute teachers and paraprofessionals.”I called the Boston public schools and they told me point blank that they didn’t have one,” he said. “Lowell and Lawrence didn’t have one either.”During his search, Mihos discovered that Beverly public schools only perform drug testing on custodians and cafeteria workers; Peabody on paraprofessionals and custodians; only random drug testing on bus drivers in Salem, and no drug testing for employees at Revere and Swampscott public schools.The current policy at Lynn schools, according to Mihos, is for all permanent hires to undergo a hair follicle drug test that screens for marijuana, cocaine, opiate, amphetamine and Phencyclidine usage. Bus drivers are also on the list to be tested, but temporary hires are not. For those employees, Mihos suggested a urinalysis test.”The hair test is a more specific exam that gives a five- to seven-month history, while the urinalysis shows a two- to three-week period,” he said.The cost of a follicle test is currently $95, while a urinalysis is priced at $65. Although the committee plans to shop around for competitive test pricing, those figures can quickly add up, according to committee member Patricia Capano, who suggested the temps foot their own bill.”Then we’ll test them again when they become permanent employees,” she said. “That way we’re not owning the fee because we could have 40 temps in a year and only hire eight.”Regardless of what type of testing is adapted, committee member John Ford said he just wants to get the highest quality employee possible.”They’re going to be teaching our kids,” he said. “So I want a uniform policy. No confusion, just make it consistent so that everybody gets the same testing.”Mihos advised those being tested to notify of any medications being used, so that officials can be made aware and a doctor’s note can back the claim up.The proposed policy will continue to be discussed at the next scheduled committee meeting.