District seeks county health-department partnership for alternative-to-suspension program for vaping and tobacco

The board heard a proposal to continue a partnership with the DeKalb County Health Department to offer educational sessions as an alternative to suspending students caught with tobacco products or vaping at school. Assistant Principal Jennings described three evidence-based programs the health department uses to teach students about the risks of tobacco and vaping. Under the proposed arrangement, the county health department would provide roughly three hours of education to affected students, typically delivered on a half day or a professional-learning day; Jennings said the sessions would most commonly be held twice a month at DeKalb High School. When asked about cost, Jennings said there is no fiscal impact to the district for the program. Board members did not take a formal vote at the meeting; Jennings asked for questions and said staff would return with any required documentation.