Lake County Schools to Launch Innovative Vaping Detectors in a $97,000 Pilot Program
Lake County Schools is set to implement a $97,000 pilot program using smart vaping detectors to combat student vaping in restrooms and nearby areas.
Lake County, Florida, Vaping Detectors, Joseph Mabry, School Safety
Joseph Mabry, the security and safety director for Lake County Schools, recently shared some exciting news about a new pilot program. They discussed it at a school board meeting, and it’s going to cost around $97,000. The plan is to use smart sensors in restrooms and nearby areas to enforce a strict no-vaping policy.
Mabry explained that these detectors are pretty high-tech. They work by analyzing air particles and can send alerts to administrators if they detect anything unusual, like vaping. This way, staff can quickly check out what’s happening in that area.
The sensors are designed to adapt as vaping technology changes, so they’ll keep up with new devices and their chemical makeups. The company providing these detectors is called Halo, and they were chosen after feedback from other districts and safety specialists across the state.
Funding for this program comes from various grants, including one from the Bipartisan Safer Schools Act. The goal is to create a safe and healthy environment for students, and they’ve allocated about $100,000 for this initiative.
Interestingly, they’ve also had success with a K9 named Samba, who helps detect vaping on campus. Just her presence has made a difference in deterring students from using these products.
The pilot program will kick off at East Ridge High School, the largest high school in the area, by spring break in March 2025. They plan to gather data for a year to see if it’s effective enough to expand to other schools.
To help students understand the no-vaping policy, they’re transitioning to a new program called LEAD, which focuses on drug and violence prevention. They’re also making sure that the rules are clear in the student code of conduct.
Mabry emphasized that safety is the top priority for the district, and they’re working closely with law enforcement and other agencies to keep students safe while they’re at school.