While the county school system’s new vaping policy went through on just one reading, Secondary Supervisor Danny McClain said this was not a snap decision. This is something they have been observing and discussing for several months.

He said this new policy is something they have been discussing since the school year started in August.

“Over the last year, we have seen several vaping incidents at the high school level and some at the middle school level,” McClain said.

McClain began speaking with principals and other school officials in August after seeing what he described as a sharp increase in incidents during this school year.

He said there were two primary reasons for the policy: classroom distractions and health concerns.

“There have been some incidents nationally that have led to serious illness,” he said. “Nobody knows the long-term effects of vaping.”

The new policy they approved during December’s school board meeting last week specifically mentions students, but adults are also punishable for vaping under existing policy 1.803, which says “Smoking and vaping shall be prohibited in any public seating areas including, but not limited to, bleachers used for sporting events or public restrooms. Employees and students in the school district will not be permitted to use these products while they are participants in any class or activity in which they represent the school district.”

The new policy, therefore, is mostly a more thorough explanation of the consequences for students who break this policy, rather than completely new rules altogether.

McClain said this is meant to be a deterrent to hopefully reduce the number of vaping incidents in the future.

Penalties include a three-day suspension at first offense, with increasing measures as the number of infractions increase.

“If it is causing disruptions, it becomes an issue we need to address as a school system,” McClain said.

This policy includes actions performed on the campus but outside the building itself, as well as school functions like sports games, clubs and other school-sponsored events.

“We just want to make sure they are aware of the new policy,” he said.

The policy goes into effect when students return to class in January. For more information about the policy, parents can contact their school’s main office or the central office at 423-547-4000.