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Tangipahoa Parish School Board amends vaping policy; district to cover vape‑testing cost
Summary
The board voted Sept. 2 to revise its vaping policy, changing first‑offense discipline from a three‑day out‑of‑school suspension to a three‑day in‑school suspension, shortening the second‑offense penalty and removing a provision to require parents to pay for device testing (devices cost about $4 each).
The Tangipahoa Parish School Board on Sept. 2 approved revisions to the district’s vaping policy that change suspension lengths and remove a parental testing fee. The board’s legal reviewer, Forethought, advised that the proposed policy fell within the district’s legal authority, and administrators recommended adjustments that the board adopted.
Board members discussed changes to the disciplinary structure in the draft policy. Under the amendments the first offense would carry a three‑day in‑school suspension instead of a three‑day out‑of‑school suspension; the second offense would carry a five‑day out‑of‑school suspension instead of 10 days. The board also removed a provision that would have required parents or guardians to pay for device testing. Administration said testing devices cost about $4 each and recommended the district assume that cost rather than bill families.
Administrators and board members discussed how to deliver mandated education for students referenced in the policy. The board directed administration to provide or identify education programs — administration suggested in‑house options or free online courses that the district could recommend or require.
Board procedure and next steps: the board approved the policy as amended and struck the parental financial‑responsibility clause (identified as additional provision No. 1 in the draft). The board recorded the approval on the Sept. 2 agenda and asked administration to report back with proposed student education options and implementation details.
Attribution and context: Forethought reviewed the revised language and indicated the district was within its legal rights to adopt the policy. Board members who spoke on the item included Miss Tilly (board president), several committee members who shepherded the draft policy and district administration; the transcript records discussion about cost per testing device and how to deliver mandated education.
