MAUMELLE, Ark. (KTHV) -- A Maumelle High School basketball coach is facing meth charges after a car accident in Sherwood on Monday. It's the second coach in two years to be arrested for drugs at the school. Now, parents are asking for a change in the drug testing policy.
Lauren Buckner was charged with DWI drugs, possession of a controlled substance and careless and prohibited driving after crashing her car in Sherwood. Buckner coaches the Maumelle High School girls basketball team. Last year, the assistant girls basketball coach, Brittany Burns also faced meth charges.
"I think it's a good thing for everyone to be drug free but especially those that work with children," said grandparent Theda Aud, picking her grandson up from Maumelle High School Friday afternoon.
News of a second basketball coach arrested on drug charges surprised several parents, but for Kimberley Ellis, it's not as surprising as the district's drug testing policy.
"They need to change the policy. They can drug test students. They can search their lockers. They can do several things, so why should teachers be above reproach?" said Ellis.
"It's not that people wouldn't like to. It's just that they aren't allowed," said Kristen Gould, Staff Attorney for the Arkansas School Boards Association.
Gould said the Pulaski County School District doesn't drug test any teachers or coaches, and they aren't alone. Bus drivers are always subject to drug testing because they operate a commercial vehicle and the U.S. Department of Transportation requires everyone with a commercial driver's license (CDL) to submit to random drug tests. As for teachers, coaches and other district employees, drug testing is not allowed.
"Beyond people who operate school buses or school vehicles, no other school district employees are drug tested in the public school districts in the state of Arkansas," said Gould.
She said it all goes back to the 4th amendment to the U.S. Constitution which prevents the government from conducting unreasonable searches and seizures. That includes public school district employees.
"A drug test is considered a search and a public school district is the government," explained Gould.
It's a rule that surprised Aud, and she believes should be changed.
"If we want our kids to be safe, then we want them to be taught and coached and cared for by people who are drug free," said Aud.
Gould said there are exceptions to the rule. The rule does not apply to private schools, which can create and implement their own policies. Some districts, like Little Rock Public Schools and PCSSD, have broadened the bus driver drug testing policy out to include anyone who drives or operates a district vehicle.
As for students being drug tested, Gould said that rule only applies to those students who participate in extracurricular activities and is not a prerequisite to attend school. Therefore, it is constitutional.
PCSSD said though their teachers are not subject to drug testing, but they do undergo extensive background checks that include fingerprinting.