Judson ISD board of trustees considers purchase of vape detection equipment

Due to concerns related to vaping at secondary campuses, the Judson ISD board of trustees held a discussion Oct. 19 regarding the installation of vape sensors and the consideration of deterrents.

According to the agenda, bids were collected for the cost of the equipment with the best value provided by Blumm USA Inc. With all the expenses, the total cost of the project would be $935,400, according to documents submitted to the board.

With the expense being unbudgeted, Trustee Monica Ryan suggested the district look at putting the equipment in the areas where there is more student traffic rather than the more than 480 identified areas.

“I’m pretty sure that our principals can identify our higher-traffic, higher-need areas,” Ryan said.

What’s next?

Superintendent Milton Fields III said he would work with principals of the schools to see where the devices could be best utilized.

Following the conversation with principals, the item will return to the board with the number of identified locations, which will reduce the cost of the project.

Ryan said should the devices prove beneficial, the board can revisit the other areas at a future date.

No action was taken on the agenda item, and the board will revisit the project discussion at a future meeting.