By N. Bradford
Reporter News Staff
A new state law taking effect this school year means bad news for students caught with vapes, and the consequences are out of local school district’s control.
House Bill 114, recently signed into law, mandates that public schools send students caught with electronic cigarettes or their components be sent to a DAEP, or Discipline Alternative Education Placement — and local school administrators will not be allowed to assign a lesser punishment.
“Students, please do not bring vapes to school,” Pearland ISD Superintendent Larry Berger pleaded in the district’s summer newsletter making note of the new law.
Being placed in DAEP is a higher consequence, Berger stated, and may result in students being removed from UIL and extra-curricular activities.
Students who disregard the warning and bring vapes to Pearland ISD campuses are more likely to get caught this school year. Concerned about an increase in students vaping on campus, the Pearland ISD Board of Trustees this summer approved installation of vape detectors in junior high and high school restrooms.
“We are working on a campaign to make sure we inform people, ‘hey, don’t do this,’” Berger said.
Initially created to help cigarette smokers kick the habit, e-cigarettes, vape pens and similar devices with enticing flavors such as mango and “tutti fruitti” have eclipsed cigarettes in popularity among youth, and contain nicotine or cannabis.
“Every generation had something that the administration was trying to help people recognize was not healthy for them,” PISD Trustee Crystal Carbone said during a board discussion on vapes.
