Board votes ‘no’ on pre-hire drug tests, only accidents
Andrews – The Andrews ABC Board voted to promote a store clerk to oversee operations after the former manager resigned. Former manager Donna Cutshaw tendered her resignation on Sept. 28. Her last day of employment at the ABC store was Oct. 10.
At the Oct. 8 meeting, the ABC board promoted James Ringenberg to store manager at a pay rate of $18 per hour. He had been a store clerk since 2012. The only board member to oppose Ringenberg’s promotion was Debbie Ambler, who said she wanted to see more applications before making a decision.
“That’s the only reason,” Ambler said.
The board also voted to set the starting pay for store clerks at $12 per hour, which is $2 less than what it was prior to the vote. However, Ambler wanted the starting pay to be $10 per hour.
Ambler also suggested the store implement a zero-tolerance policy by requiring all new hires to submit to a background check and full drug screen. While board member Paula Parker agreed with the mandatory drug test stipulation, she and Ambler were overruled by the other three members.
“My son was a huge pot smoker all four years of college; he quit because he had to get a job,” Parker said while advocating for a mandatory drug test that includes screening for marijuana. “He doesn’t smoke dope now because he has a good job.”
Ringenberg argued that he would have a hard time finding employees if they tested all new hires for marijuana.
“That would eliminate a lot of people,” he said.
Board chairwoman Bennie Jo McKinnon said she was “not so much for pre-drug screening as I am for on-the-spot [drug testing] if you have an issue going on.”
Ambler and Parker placed separate motions on the floor to implement mandatory full drug screens for new hires, yet it failed both times. McKinnon, Holly Christy and Jeff Huls each voted against the measures.
However, the board agreed to conduct background checks on new hires and drug test employees whenever there is an accident.