Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Tobacco Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board reviews tobacco policy language; retains statute-based fine provision and asks for amount history
Summary
The board discussed Policy 222 language that authorizes fines for tobacco possession on school property. Members noted the statutory wording and that any funds returned to the district are minimal; the board asked administration to gather historic MDJ (magisterial district judge) collection data and left the policy language unchanged.
Subcommittee members discussed Policy 222 (Tobacco) after noting a provision that says a student convicted of violating the tobacco policy "shall be required to pay a fine for the benefit of the district." Members asked whether the district financially benefits from court fines.
Administrators explained the language mirrors state law; magisterial-district-judge collections are typically small and the district does not rely on tobacco fines as a funding source. In practice the amount retained by the district has been de minimis and often goes to cover court or administrative costs. The superintendent agreed to ask the MDJ’s office for historic data on citations and any amounts returned to the district to provide clarity for the board and community.
The subcommittee voted to leave Policy 222 language as written and directed the superintendent to seek a report from the MDJ office showing how frequently citations occur and what, if any, funds have been remitted to the district.
Ending Board members said they would revisit the policy if the MDJ data suggested a need for revision; for now the policy stays aligned with statute and no changes were made.
