School officials propose 27 vape detectors for high-school restrooms; trustees press on privacy, vandalism and staffing

Assistant Superintendent Wolf presented a proposal to purchase and install 27 Halo 3C smart sensors across the districthigh schools (Kettering, Mott and Durant) to detect vaping, loud noises and other threats in student restrooms. Wolf said the devices send near-instant text alerts to designated response-team members and that the purchase and annual software subscriptions would be funded from the 31aa student safety and mental-health allocation, with a cooperative-quote total of about $32,570.

Wolf framed the devices as a deterrent and part of a broader response system that includes hall monitors, administrators, safety coordinators and school-resource officers. He emphasized training and communication with families and students before installation and said staff would calibrate response procedures so that dignity and student privacy are respected.

Trustees and staff raised operational concerns: Member Donahue asked which phones receive text alerts, whether those are staff personal devices or district-provided devices, and how the workload for responders would be managed during evening events. Member Sona Krant and others asked whether the devices are visible or hidden and whether a protective cage is planned to prevent vandalism; Wolf said devices would be visible and that damage alerts are supported and that the district would explore protective mounting. Trustees also queried whether locker rooms are included; Wolf said the initial rollout targets high-school restrooms used during the school day and that some locker-room spaces are not always accessible during class periods.

Several speakers described the rationale: a board member with long experience cited more than 15 ambulance transports from vaping-related incidents at Kettering over five years and argued the detectors yield data and safety benefits. Trustees and staff agreed the devices are not perfect but could help curb vaping, especially among freshmen. Implementation steps include summer installation, staff training prior to the school year, defined response teams (male and female hall monitors, administrators, safety coordinators) and ongoing communication to families.

The recommendation to purchase the sensors was presented for board approval; questions remain about device protection, after-hours alerts during community events and whether to expand to other spaces. The presentation included an explicit note that the $32,570 figure is the correct cooperative price (not $325,000 as incorrectly transcribed in one slide).