Administrators at Great Bend USD 428 told the school board they plan to buy metal-detecting wands to detect vaping devices in an attempt to crack down on vaping in schools. A new Vaping Task Force will look at enforcing the rules but also at providing education for parents and students.

That education may need to include addiction mediation, according to Assistant Superintendent John Popp. The reason: One nicotine vape device can deliver as much nicotine as 10 cigarettes, he said. “So it’s incredibly addicting. It’s also bad for the kids’ health; it is a real problem that needs to be addressed.”

Vaping devices that look like pens or USB drives have been found in the elementary schools, middle school and high school, Popp said.

Vaping devices aren’t just for electronic cigarettes. Some may contain THC, the main active ingredient in cannabis. But even vaping devices without THC or nicotine are illegal for students to have and pose health risks, he said, adding many students and parents don’t realize that.

Popp said he expects the district will spend up to $1,800 on metal-detecting wands. “Those are the wands that they wave over you to find metal, because in every vape there has to be a metal piece that is the actual part that vaporizes the substance. A lot of times what happens in the secondary schools is somebody – a student or teacher – reports there’s vapor in the air in the bathroom. And so you go in and you pull the kids out and maybe there’s four or five kids in there and the kids say, ‘None of us were vaping.’” The wands can help with detection, he said.

Eventually, the district may want to invest in vape detectors. They resemble smoke detectors but instead of emitting a blaring siren, these detectors will send a notification to a principal’s phone. They would primarily be used in bathrooms, which is where most vaping occurs.

The task force

The Vape Task Force has met twice so far. It has members from Juvenile Services, the Barton County Health Department, the Great Bend Police Department, principals from every level and counselors from the middle school and high school.

School board member Deanna Essmiller said the district should also contact the Cottonwood Extension Office because they have a lot of good information. She saw a presentation aimed primarily at parents. “It was amazing how parents had no idea,” she said. Some thought it was OK for their 14-year-olds to vape. “They thought it was just – steam.”

Even though the term “vapor” is normally used, vape devices do not produce water vapor. Vaping produces an aerosol mist. Unlike water vapor, the aerosol mist includes ultra-fine particles that are breathed into the lungs.

Parents and students need to learn how dangerous vaping is, Popp agreed. Prevention videos show young adults who are 20 years old and have been vaping for five years, “and they sound like they’ve smoked for 30 years. It’s that destructive to the lungs,” he said.

With the two-pronged approach of enforcement and prevention, Popp said he’ll be coming to the board with future proposals such as the purchase of more cameras.

Superintendent Khris Thexton said he’ll let the school board know if any policy revisions are needed. For now, students caught with vaping devices receive a three-day out-of-school suspension on the first offense, five days for a second offense and 10 days for a third offense. “It ramps up quick.”

Meeting at a glance

Here’s a brief look at what the Great Bend USD 428 Board of Education did on Monday:

• Recognized career milestones

The Milestone Program is based on five-year increments, recognizing years of service of licensed and classified employees. Employees reaching milestones will receive a token of appreciation from the district for their longevity and commitment. Employees reaching 20, 25, and 30-year milestones will be recognized.

• Heard a report on the next secondary math curriculum adoption

The 7-12 math curriculum committee presented their selections for the adoption of secondary mathematics after conducting a pilot of the top two choices.

• Approved a wrestling mat purchase.

In February, the board approved bid specifications for 372 linear feet of padded wainscoting panels for the East Campus wrestling room at 1721 24th St. (the former CUNA complex, recently purchased by USD 428). USA Gymnastics & Supply Inc. submitted the only bid, for $24,250, which was approved.  

• Heard an update on the fleet management agreement and approved leasing 10 Chevrolet Traverses with full maintenance for a total of $7,272.90 a month for 36 months.

At the February meeting, board members approved a no-cost/no-obligation contract with Enterprise to allow the company to evaluate the fleet of district vehicles and propose options for consideration. Assistant Superintendent John Popp provided an update.

• Continued a discussion on district goals.

Superintendent Khris Thexton and board members continue developing new district goals relevant to USD 428.

• Approved a JAG-K Memorandum Of Understanding

The board approved USD 428’s partnership agreement/MOU to extend the Jobs for America’s Graduates-Kansas program (JAG-K) for the 2023-2024 middle and high school year. The program costs $33,660 ($11,220 per program/instructor), with no increase from 2022-2023. However, a $980 per program increase is expected for the 2024-2025 school year.

• Reviewed the 2023-2024 school calendar and development of the 2024-25 school calendar.  

• Heard assistant superintendent reports that included information on the Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) Outside Validation Team study; state assessments; a new Vape Task Force; the upcoming Preschool and Kindergarten Pre-Enrollment Information Fair; the Great Bend Convention and Business Bureau’s Be Our Guest Academy, and personnel updates.

• Heard the superintendent’s report that included a legislative update, mini-grant update, Kansas Teacher of the Year banquet news, project updates, and staff appreciation.

As a token of appreciation for USD 428’s employees, all staff members have been invited to enjoy complimentary bowling, appetizers and door prizes at Walnut Bowl this Friday, March 10, from 3:30-5:30 p.m.

• Approved grants and contributions.

• Approved personnel changes.

• Met in executive session for 5 minutes to discuss an individual employee’s performance, in compliance with the personnel exception under the Kansas Open Meetings Act.