Dallas Independent School District introduce stricter vaping policies

Dallas, Texas - In a decisive effort to align with Texas House Bill 114 and curtail vaping in educational settings, the Dallas Independent School District’s Board of Trustees has comprehensively updated its Student Code of Conduct. This update ensures that the code aligns with the requirements set by the aforementioned state legislation.

Effective from September 1, 2023, students caught with vaporizing devices on school premises, within a 300-foot radius of the institution, or at school-related events, will face a formal placement in the Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP).

In response to this policy, a designated school official from the student's primary campus will conduct a detailed hearing to assess the situation. This official, responsible for the student’s academic pathway, will facilitate the student's transfer to the DAEP.

For a first-time offense, students will receive a Level III Mandatory Placement in the DAEP, which requires the completion of a five-day substance abuse program. Before returning to their primary campus, there's an obligatory half-day orientation, which the student's parents or legal guardians must attend.

A subsequent violation results in another Level III Mandatory Placement in the DAEP with stricter conditions. The student must complete the DAEP’s full term and undergo enhanced substance abuse interventions. Additionally, parents must attend a specialized substance abuse session.

The DAEP staff will closely manage the student intake process and the orientation for students and their parents. For more details or queries about these modifications, individuals are advised to connect with the Office of Student Engagement and Support.

Furthermore, on August 14, the Frisco ISD’s school board unanimously endorsed significant amendments to its student code of conduct for the 2023-24 academic year. These amendments are in response to the forthcoming state vaping regulations, encapsulated in House Bill 114. From September 1, students discovered with e-cigarettes or vaping devices within 300 feet of a school will be enrolled in the district’s DAEP.

Parents should note that students found with vaping equipment will undergo a compulsory 10-day placement in the DAEP, situated at the Student Opportunity Center. During this tenure, students are prohibited from joining school events, sports, or other extracurricular activities, and cannot access any district facilities except the center. Moreover, the revised code now includes a provision concerning marijuana derivatives. Students caught with hemp, CBD, or THC without a valid prescription will also face DAEP placement.

Credit: Dallas Independent School District, Frisco Independent School District, Dallas Metro News