Hillsborough Schools To Crack Down On Vaping

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Hillsborough school administration is taking strong steps against vaping at the district.

The Board of Education unanimously voted at the Dec. 18 meeting to revise the policy on substance abuse to include vaping at Hillsborough High School, Hillsborough, Middle School and Auten Road Intermediate School.

“In recent months the prevalence of electronic smoking devices and the brazenness with which students are using these in the building have increased exponentially due to ease of accessibility and less noticeable odors or smoke,” stated Karen Bingert, principal of Hillsborough High School. “The updates to the Board policy and code of conduct are important, preventative steps to dissuade students from engaging in unhealthy behaviors at school with the goal of encouraging Hillsborough’s youth to make decisions that are in their best interests.”

The change in policy means that high school students who are now found in possession of tobacco products, including electronic smoking devices or their cartridges/oils/waxes/components, and/or smoking/vaping while on school grounds will face in-school suspension for three days.

Students will also have a complaint filed against them with the municipal court. Violators are also subject to incremental fines based on the number of offenses, the new policy states.

Since the contents of the vaping devices can easily be hidden and can't be distinguished between tobacco to drugs, the school will have a zero tolerance policy.

A a result, students found in possession of an electronic smoking device or its components will be considered under suspicion of being under the influence of drugs while at school as would any student in possession of anything that would constitute drug paraphernalia, according to Kia Bergman, spokeswoman for the school system.

The school will then contact a parent/guardian, who must immediately take the student for a drug screen and physician’s clearance.

A positive drug screen or verified possession of drugs or alcohol will result in additional days of in-school suspension (five total days for first offense and 10 total days for each subsequent offense), five mandatory drug counseling sessions with a district Student Assistance Counselor (SAC), as well as the student will be ineligible to participate in all school activities (including senior parking) for a minimum of 30 days and pending completion of the required sessions with the SAC.

The changes to the code of conduct will be in effect when students return to school following winter recess on Jan. 2.

Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District is also taking similar steps to crack down on vaping as well.

• See Related: Bridgewater HS To Crack Down On Vaping

Hillsborough Township Public Schools will also hold an information night on Tuesday, Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. in the Hillsborough High School auditorium. The evening will focus on electronic smoking devices and other things to be on the lookout for to help keep Hillsborough’s children drug-free.

(Image via Dan Kitwood/Getty Images: Vaping)

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