Education
BY JAMES T. NORMAN
A new state bill, House Bill 114, which went into e ect Sept. 1, will now require school districts to place students caught with vape devices into an alternative education program. However, some o cials said they’re concerned about having enough seats in their respective alternative programs or if the punishment is appropriate. While it steepens the penalty for getting caught with a device on campus, the bill also lowers it for those with THC, which used to lead to expulsion. The new requirements are prompting some districts to look for ways to cover the extra seats that could be needed in their respective programs. Others are saying too much emphasis is being put on discipline rather than programs to help rehabilitate students. HB 114 changes school discipline
What they’re saying
“I think we need to discourage kids from using these vape pens, period. These kids are old enough to understand the consequences.” STATE REP. ED THOMPSON, R PEARLAND
“We had hoped for a more restorative measure [in House Bill 114]. If we don’t address the root,
we can’t get change.” MELISSA IGO, DIRECTOR OF COALITIONS FOR THE BAY AREA COUNCIL ON DRUGS AND ALCOHOL
“There aren’t enough seats in any alternative education program anywhere to house the number of students caught vaping.” DAYNA OWEN, FRIENDSWOOD ISD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
“On the face [the bill] is not exactly what we started out with, but it still meets the intent very well. It’s better for kids now.” RORY GESCH, ALVIN ISD ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT
In the hot seat
By the numbers
House Bill 114
Some area districts are increasing their DAEP, which means they will have more room to house students who are caught with vapes.
State Rep. Ed Thompson, R Pearland, who authored the bill, said the goal was to give school districts exibility in how they discipline students caught with vape pens. The previous system required many students to go through the county alternative education pro- gram, which Thompson said was being “overrun.” However, several district o cials said they are now worried about running out of seats in their own DAEP programs as a result of the bill.
• Students caught with vape devices must be placed in their district’s alternative education program, also known as DAEP. • If a DAEP is at capacity, vaping students can be placed in in-school suspension to make room for violent offenders but must be put back in if space opens up. • Districts maintain power over how long a DAEP term lasts as well as capacity and staf ing.
DAEP seats in 2022-23
DAEP seats in 2023-24
150
90
60
60
45
30
SOURCES: HOUSE BILL 114, REP. ED THOMPSON, R PEARLAND COMMUNITY IMPACT
Pearland ISD
Alvin ISD Friendswood ISD
SOURCES: ALVIN ISD, FRIENDSWOOD ISD, PEARLAND ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT
The approach
Pearland ISD
Alvin ISD
Friendswood ISD
While PISD o cials called HB 114 “a bit of an overreach,” the new bill is not expected to burden the district’s DAEP system, and the district will not be making changes to its program or adding seats for the 2023-24 school year. If the new requirements do cause the DAEP to become overcrowded, o cials said there are ways to manage that problem.
Due to its growth in recent years, the district has expanded its DAEP program and this year will have it housed in a new facility that will increase its capacity from around 90 students to 150 students. Due to the new location, Assistant Superintendent Rory Gesch said he believes the district will have no issue with space needed to house additional students.
To house students who violate the vaping policy, the district is building an in-house DAEP, Executive Director of Communications Dayna Owen said. As a result, none of the allotted 30 seats in its external DAEP program will be used for vaping. District o cials can also use the new in-house program for other instances that call for DAEP placement.
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PEARLAND FRIENDSWOOD EDITION
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