District approves three-year, grant-funded vaping education position to target middle-school prevention

Pueblo County School District 70 approved a new grant-funded school health professional position focused on vaping education and prevention at its June 27 special meeting.

District staff told the board the position is funded through a Colorado Department of Education grant tied to the state Attorney General’s lawsuit against a vaping manufacturer. The grant covers the role for three years and limits funded activities to prevention and education (the grant does not allow purchasing vaping sensors or similar devices).

The job description presented lists a 10-month contract and places the position within the Health and Wellness Student Services department. Staff said the role will concentrate on middle-school students for prevention and provide more counseling-focused services for high school students. Minimum qualifications include a bachelor’s degree (examples given: public health, health education, social work, registered nurse) with preferred candidates holding a master’s degree or relevant certifications (licensed addiction counselor, tobacco treatment specialist, etc.).

Staff indicated the salary would follow existing specialist schedules, with a starting range cited around $60,000 for lower-tier classifications and higher pay for candidates placed on psychologist/social-work specialist schedules. The district confirmed grant funding is available for the three-year period; retaining the position after the grant ends would require absorbing the role into the general fund if the board chooses to continue it.

The board voted to approve the job description and the grant-funded position; the motion carried.