School Officials Fight Increased Vaping In Wilmington

WILMINGTON, MA — Officials have closed two of the four boys bathrooms at Wilmington High School to prevent students from vaping, and while Wilmington Middle School has seen an "uptick in vaping," according to Assistant Principal Jeannette Quirk. School officials discussed the problem at Wednesday's meeting of the school committee, which heard recommendations from its vaping committee for changes to the high school and middle school handbooks.

Wilmington High School Assistant Principal Christopher Phillips said on at least one occasion, the school has had to call paramedics for a student that used the controversial nicotine delivery systems. "It’s a major problem for us," he said.

Quirk said school staff have had trouble monitoring vaping. "The devices look different, are changing, and can be tiny and easily hidden," she said, adding that some clothing now have the devices built in. Officials are also concerned because the devices can be used to ingest marijuana products.

The proposal would increase penalties for students caught vaping. Currently, they face a $50 fine from the Board of Health and a one-day suspension; under the proposed policy, students caught a first time could choose between a five-day suspension or a one-day diversionary program. Students caught a second time would be suspended for five days or go to a five-day diversion program. The diversion programs would be free to students.

The school committee will review the handbooks on May 22 and vote to adopt them, with the new policy, on June 12.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).