By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The Great Bend school district continues to make progress in its fight against vaping in schools. The USD 428 Board of Education announced the creation of a vaping task force at its March meeting, and the purchase of metal-detecting wands to help combat the problem. Assistant Superintendent John Popp provided updates at Monday's April meeting.
"We've actually divided our vaping task force into two separate groups," he said. "We have a group that is meeting to discuss detection and after-action types of responses; so once we catch somebody vaping, what are our responses and how do we help those students and families in that time, as well as consequences for those kinds of behaviors."
The other side of the task force will focus on education and prevention. The idea is to inform students, parents, and the community at large about the harmful effects of vaping, especially on the adolescent body. USD 428 has teamed up with Juvenile Services, the Barton County Health Department, and Great Bend Police Department.
The district has purchased the $1,700 wands to assist in detecting the metal coils used in vaping devices, and Popp said discussions are still ongoing about vape detectors that can be placed in certain areas, especially in secondary schools. The district has also purchased THC test kits that can unofficially test for additional illegal substances.
The dangers of vaping will be the topic for the next Multicultural Family Engagement program scheduled for Thursday, April 13, in the Great Bend Middle School commons at 7 p.m. The event is open to all USD 428 families, and daycare will be available.