“Because of [House Bill] 114, we have THC and e-cigarettes added to the list of requirements for a mandatory [Disciplinary Alternative Education Program] placement,” said Michael Winters, MISD’s senior director of administrative services, during the school board meeting.
How we got here
House Bill 114, which will go into effect Sept. 1, requires students be placed in a district's DAEP if a student possesses, sells, gives, delivers or uses an e-cigarette at or within 300 feet of school property.
What parents should know
If a student is caught with a device, they are subject to a mandatory placement in the DAEP.
MISD’s DAEP facility is located at 2100 W. White Ave., McKinney. Per the DAEP handbook, students in the program are prohibited from:
- Being on any school property other than the DAEP campus
- Participating in extracurricular activities, whether in or out of town
“Awareness is key,” Winters said. “As a district, we are doing the things that we can to make parents aware.”
Once a device is seized by the school, Superintendent Shawn Pratt said the contents are tested to see if it’s a tobacco or THC product.
Also of note
In the updated student code of conduct, Winters said marijuana products were added to the list of mandatory DAEP placements.
Unless a student has a valid prescription for a low-THC cannabis product, students will be placed in the DAEP if a student sells, gives, delivers, possesses or is under the influence of marijuana or THC.
What else?
If the DAEP is at capacity at the time a student is being placed for conduct related to marijuana, THC or an e-cigarette, the student will be placed in in-school suspension, also known as ISS.
Superintendent Shawn Pratt said students placed in the DAEP for a vape offense will be moved if a student with a more serious offense needs placement. Trustee Amy Dankel cited concern for students being removed from the classroom for extended periods of time.
“If it creates a lot of movement where we’re moving students back and forth, [then] that’s definitely not the best thing for their education,” Pratt said. “We are going to monitor it very closely.”
One more thing
MISD is encouraging parents and guardians to speak with their students about the risks associated with e-cigarette usage. If a student needs support to quit vaping, district officials are pointing parents to resources provided by the Anti-Vaping Truth Initiative.
