The Cross County School District is working to curb vaping among the student body. Cross County Superintendent Dr. Nathan Morris provided a vape report to board members last night.
The report followed concerns voiced by several parents in the district at the December meeting. Dr. Morris said the district piloted a vape detector in one restroom last spring and fully implemented the devices in October. According to the report, the number of vaping instances has decreased since then.
Dr. Morris said students caught with a vape receive in-school suspension on the first offense. The district also offers a cessation program through EVERFI.
In other news, Dr. Morris reported that nearly all of the district’s ESSER money has been spent, with the remaining $50,000 earmarked for a new elementary math curriculum. Four students from the Thunderbirds Against Drugs (TAD) group will be attending the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America Capitol Hill Day from Jan. 29 through Feb. 1 in Washington, D.C. The trip will be funded through a grant from CrossRidge Community Hospital. Board members approved their professional development hours for 2023, and approved a classified attendance bonus for the first semester. Nine staff members will receive a $250 bonus for missing two or fewer days when students were present. The board also passed a resolution allowing Dr. Morris to work with district leadership in making changes to the school calendar as needed.
The board also approved the resignation of Kara Lee effective Jan. 5; hired Tammy Woodson as elementary paraprofessional effective Jan. 22; and extended Dr. Morris’ contract for the next three years.
