The Board recognizes its responsibility to promote the health, welfare and safety of students, staff and others on district property and at school-sponsored activities. In light of scientific evidence that use of tobacco is hazardous to health, and to be consistent with district curriculum and Oregon law, it is the intent of the Board to establish a tobacco-free environment. Consequently, student possession, use, distribution or sale of tobacco, including any smoking device, on district premises, at school-sponsored activities on or off district premises, in district-owned, rented or leased vehicles, or otherwise while the student is under the jurisdiction of the school, is prohibited. Tobacco use, distribution, possession or sale by staff on district property, at district sponsored events, in district owned, rented or leased vehicles or otherwise while on duty on or off district premises is prohibited. Tobacco use, distribution or sale by others on district property, in district vehicles or at district sponsored events on or off district premises is also prohibited. Staff and/or all others authorized to use private vehicles to transport district students to school-sponsored activities are prohibited from using tobacco in those vehicles while students are under their care.
For the purposes of this policy, "tobacco" is defined to include any lighted or unlighted cigarette, cigar, pipe, bidi, clove cigarette, and any other smoking product, spit tobacco, also known as smokeless, dip, chew, snuff, in any form.
Clothing, bags, hats and other personal items used by staff and students to display, promote or advertise tobacco products are prohibited on district grounds, at school-sponsored activities or in district vehicles. Tobacco advertising is prohibited in all school-sponsored publications in all school buildings and at all school-sponsored events. District acceptance of gifts or funds from the tobacco industry is similarly prohibited. The district will not contract with other public or private alternative schools that allow student tobacco use on campus.
Student violations of this policy will lead to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion. Students may also be subject to removal from any or all extracurricular activities and/or denial or forfeiture of school honors or privileges (e.g., valedictorian, salutatorian, student body, class or club office positions, field trips, senior trip, prom, etc.). School and/or community service may be used in conjunction to an assigned consequence with parent approval and support. A referral to law enforcement may be made. Parents shall be notified of all violations involving their student and the action taken by the school.
Staff violations of this policy will lead to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. Violations by others will result in appropriate sanctions as determined and imposed by the superintendent.
As part of the district’s tobacco use prevention activities, the superintendent shall ensure that tobacco use instructional programs as recommended by the Oregon Department of Human Services, Health Services, Tobacco Prevention and Education Program and the Oregon Department of Education are an integral part of its drug and alcohol prevention curriculum in the schools. Programs must be integrated within the health education program and age- and developmentally-appropriate instruction provided at every level, pre-kindergarten through grade 12, with particular emphasis on grades six through eight. It is the expectation of the Board that tobacco use prevention concepts will be integrated into the instruction of other subject areas as practicable.
Staff responsible for teaching tobacco use prevention will be encouraged to collaborate with agencies and groups that conduct tobacco use prevention education and to participate in ongoing professional development activities that provide basic knowledge about the effects of tobacco use, effective instructional techniques and program-specific activities.
The superintendent or designee shall consult with local officials to promote enforcement of law that prohibits the possession of tobacco by minors on or off district grounds.
The superintendent or designee will develop administrative regulations as necessary to implement this policy, including provisions for notification of the district’s policy, through such means as student/parent and staff handbooks, newsletters, inclusion on school event programs, signs at appropriate locations; disciplinary consequences; and procedures for filing and handling complaints about violations of the district’s policy.
The superintendent shall ensure that the district’s tobacco use prevention program, policies, curricula, training and cessation programs are evaluated at regular intervals. The input of students, staff, parents and others from the community will be encouraged.
END OF POLICY
Pro-Children Act of 1994, 20 U.S.C. §§ 6081-6084 (2006).