Hermitage school directors are delaying action on a proposed drug- testing policy for job applicants after the board's solicitor said he has "fairly significant concerns" about it.

The policy would require the top finalists for administrative, teaching and nonteaching positions to pass a urine test for use of heroin, cocaine, marijuana and other drugs. The candidates would be responsible for paying for the tests.

Volunteers also would have to be tested, but the district would pay for the tests.

Job hopefuls and potential volunteers would be given a list of local health providers that can perform the tests.

The district would only be entitled to know whether someone would be positive or negative, and only those who "need to know" within the district would have access to the information.

Solicitor H. William White III said the policy does not specifically say the information would be kept confidential or have any other language concerning how the information would be stored.

White suggested that the policy say any documents related to the test would not be released, and possibly even that they would be destroyed.

The policy also should state what happens if someone tests positive for one or more of the substances. The policy, in its current form, does not specify if someone would or would not be eligible to reapply for that job or apply for another job in the future.

White also said the policy should outline an appeal process, even if it's only to say that there will not be one.

While having a drug-testing policy is appropriate, "There are a lot of things I don't like about this policy," he said.

Board President Duane J. Piccirilli said the board was hoping the existence of the policy would deter anyone who has used drugs from applying.

"Once word gets out that we do drug testing, that is a form of screening in itself," he said.

"Boy, don't bet on it," White said, recalling an incident where an employer had to turn away a large number of applicants because of failed drug tests.