Random Testing Program Struck Down For Teachers

Some school districts across the state have to rework how they test their employees for drugs. That's after North Carolina's Court of Appeals struck down the drug testing program in Graham County. This ruling should not have a huge impact on districts around here.

By: Jim Niedelman | WNCT
Published: June 03, 2009

Some school districts across the state have to rework how they test their employees for drugs.

That's after North Carolina's Court of Appeals struck down the drug testing program in Graham County.

This ruling should not have a huge impact on districts around here.

The Court of Appeals struck down the program because it randomly tested its teachers finding it amounted to an unreasonable search.

The decision applies statewide and nullifies other random programs like it.

However, it does not affect Pitt County's school employee testing program.

That testing isn't random.

Every teacher and administrator has to pass a drug test before being hired.

However, there is random testing for bus drivers.

That meets federal guidelines and falls out of the scope of the appeals court ruling.

Beaufort County schools declined to comment on the decision.

However, a review of its employment drug screening for teachers is not random either.

Contrary to published reports, it does not seem this court ruling extends to random drug testing of athletes as well.

This case involved teachers specifically.

In its opinion, the court cited United States Supreme Court decisions that found it's ok to randomly test student athletes.