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BETTY CORNETTE BARBARA HOAGLAND SANDY HORN LEEANNE BLACKBURN VICKI ECKERLE THERESA SCHOTT NORMA HILLERICH CARRIE REYNOLDS CATHY TINSLEY DEBBIE FOSTER LINDA ELZY DEE BECKMAN and SHIRLEY HAYES APPELLANTS
vs.
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY, KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION STATE BOARD FOR ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION; THOMAS C. BOYSEN Commissioner; BOARD OF EDUCATION OF JEFFERSON COUNTY KENTUCKY; DONALD W. INGWERSON and JOHN WILHOIT APPELLEES
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Issues:
Fourth Amendment, public employee, safety, post accident testing.
Case Summary:
Beverly Cornette and other school bus drivers under the jurisdiction of the Kentucky State Board of Education appeal a lower court's ruling concerning their objections to a new drug-testing policy. The drivers object to a policy that mandates post-accident drug testing for all drivers. The drivers filed suit seeking an injunction against the new policy. State education officials responded with a motion for summary judgment.
Decision of lower jurisdiction:
The Jefferson Circuit Court ruled in favor of the state and granted a motion for summary judgment. Cornette and the bus drivers now appeal.
Outcome:
Cornette loses. The Kentucky Court of Appeals affirmed the ruling of the lower jurisdiction. The court of appeals ruled that the state has an overriding interest in protecting the public's safety. The court ruled the testing policy at issue did not violate constitutional provisions.