LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – The Lake County School Board is set to take up a measure at its Monday night meeting, to try to stop kids from vaping on campus.
School Board members will decide on whether they want to spend around $97,000 to install vape detection devices at East Ridge High School.
When asked why East Ridge was selected, a spokesperson for the district told us because East Ridge is the largest school in the district.
According to the agenda for Monday night’s meeting, parents, students and teachers are concerned about student health and safety due to the prevalence of nicotine and vapes on campus.
The item on the agenda goes on to say the Superintendent Student Council has reported an alarming increase in the presence of these items, adversely affecting the high school culture.
This isn’t the first time News 6 has told you about the Lake County School District coming up with ways to keep students from vaping.
Earlier this year, the district began utilizing Samba — a K9 specifically trained to detect vapes, nicotine and other substances.
According to the district, during the 2022-23 school year there were 585 tobacco cases across the district.
Samba started on campuses in March 2024.
The total number of tobacco cases for the 2023-24 school year dropped by 150.
Based on the background information from the agenda, the devices would provide real-time reporting of vaping activities which would reduce the need for teachers to physically monitor hotspot locations, like restrooms.
The devices are also able to detect and monitor other illicit activities, which the background report says would ultimately enhance campuses’ overall safety.
Orange County Public Schools tells us they have vape-detection devices places in middle schools and high schools and were paid for through a settlement with JUUL.
Monday’s meeting is set to begin at 6 p.m.
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