Board approves vape-detection rollout and asks staff to prioritize middle and high schools using data

The board approved a staff-backed plan to roll out vape-detection devices in middle schools and then add high schools, directing staff to use school-by-school data to prioritize implementation.

Chief Gregory explained the pilot work and procurement steps and said the devices require infrastructure connections that constrain how many sites can be completed at once. Ms. Batista, referencing settlement funds from litigation, said BrowardCounty Public Schools will receive a multi-year allocation (about $1.114 million per year for three years from one settlement stream, with additional funds from other settlements) that the district can apply to anti-vaping measures, including detection equipment and related prevention programs. The board directed staff to bring back a detailed project plan and timeline; staff said procurement and network/wiring work will determine install pace and that outside vendors could be used to accelerate rollout.

A subsequent motion by a board member expanded the directive to include high schools as soon as possible and to prioritize installations using discipline and vaping-related incident data. The board approved the expanded directive unanimously and asked staff to return with a timeline that shows how many middle and high schools can be completed year 1 and a prioritized schedule for the remainder. Staff said deployment has begun in procurement and that pilot testing of devices is complete.

Board members stressed that the settlement funding can also support broader anti-vaping and mental-health efforts, and staff said they would provide a detailed accounting of available settlement dollars and the proposed uses.