School committee approves ceiling‑mounted vape sensors for middle schools; pilot may expand to high school

The Fall River School Committee voted to approve a five‑year contract for ceiling‑mounted air‑quality detectors intended to alert staff to vaping events in student restrooms and other small spaces.

Committee members and technology staff described the systems, made by Verkada, as ceiling devices that trigger real‑time text and email alerts when air quality changes consistent with vaping. Mr. Ken Cabral, the district’s technology lead, said the devices proved effective in a Talbot Middle School pilot, where quick alerts and camera review helped staff identify and address incidents quickly.

“Most of the time, the staff get there while the kids are still in the bathroom,” Cabral said. He described the purchased package as a 5‑year license with vendor support and overnight replacement for damaged units.

The committee approved outfitting all three middle schools in the initial phase, with an eye to expanding to Durfee High School later if pilot data and wiring logistics support it. Several members urged that the district prepare interventions and alternatives to out‑of‑school suspension for students identified by sensors, noting that discipline responses must be paired with support services.

The technology committee recommended the purchase after a subcommittee demonstration and a brief pilot. Committee members asked for a follow‑up report with deployment data and discipline/referral figures for the middle‑school rollout.

The motion to approve passed by roll call. The administration said they will prewire middle schools over the summer and submit a data report to the committee after the first months of operation.