St. Paul Public Schools is weighing a new policy that would authorize drug and alcohol tests for employees suspected of working under the influence.

Several times a year, supervisors call the human resources office about employees thought to be using drugs or alcohol, Jim Vollmer, assistant director of human resources, told the school board this week.

“Our only response at this point has been, ‘Send them home,’ ” he said.

The proposed policy would authorize the tests if a supervisor has “reasonable suspicion” that the employee is using a substance.

Employees caught by the district for a first time would get a shot at counseling or rehabilitation.

“It helps employees who truly have a problem get help,” chief of staff Cedrick Baker said.

If they refuse to get help, fail to complete the program or test positive again, they could be fired.

Today, the St. Paul district doesn’t test any job applicants or employees for alcohol or drugs, except for bus drivers, who must be tested under federal law.

That’s not unusual, according to the Minnesota School Boards Association.

“It’s costly to do and really nobody has found the need to do that on their entire teaching staff,” spokesman Greg Abbott said.

An earlier draft of the proposed policy called for the St. Paul district to test all new hires and conduct random drug tests of employees, but the school board had those provisions scrapped.

Before moving ahead with the revisions, board member John Brodrick wants to solicit input from employees and administrators. He also wants to make sure the district will use the new policy to help people.

“This is not intending to be punitive toward employees (but) protective of the students” and employees, he said.

Like the school district, the city of St. Paul and Ramsey County do not require drug tests of most employees. Law enforcement officers, firefighters and those who drive trucks or heavy machinery are tested. Related Articles St. Paul district reports enrollment drop as pandemic moves school online

Distance learning deal with St. Paul teachers calls for ‘regular’ — not necessarily daily — live teaching

St. Paul City Council debates halting charter school bond requests for six months

St. Paul district to prioritize special education, elementary grades if schools reopen next month

How much live instruction should we expect from teachers? St. Paul union argues for once a week

Likewise, the Anoka-Hennepin school district doesn’t drug test most employees.

However, Minneapolis Public Schools and the city of Minneapolis do have drug test policies for both new hires and employees suspected of being under the influence.