Parent urges Sheldon ISD to address vaping and nicotine/THC devices in schools

During the public-comment portion of the meeting, parent Darius Provost Evans told the board he repeatedly discovers vaping devices and paraphernalia in students’ belongings and school bathrooms and urged the district to adopt sensors and other measures to detect vape use.

Evans said the devices and cartridges turn up in places such as pillowcases, shoes and instrument cases and that some devices are returning to his foster home, where children in his care have been traumatized. He suggested vape detectors that can identify nicotine or THC products and said other districts have implemented such systems with success, though he acknowledged there are flaws and trade-offs.

Evans also said disciplinary consequences — including placement in DAEP (Disciplinary Alternative Education Program) — are harmful and that parents and the district should instead pursue preventive measures. He thanked the district communications team for voter registration outreach but urged the board to act on vaping, describing it as a persistent safety and health concern.

The board received the comment and moved into closed session on the agenda; no formal motion or policy change was made during the meeting based on the public comment.