Sean C. Morgan
Of The New Era
School District 55 will not have a new smoking policy in place before school starts next month, but it will have to ban smoking from all school grounds by Jan. 1.
The School Board is considering three sample policies submitted by the Oregon School Boards Association to ban smoking under a new state law, that requires the district to ban tobacco use on any property it owns or rents.
The board also is reviewing two administrative rules to work with the policies.
The board will consider the policies further at its Sept. 12 meeting, Supt. Larry Horton said. His original intent was to have a new policy in place before school started.
The current rules, which prohibit smoking in the grandstands, will be in place during football season, Horton said.
As far as enforcement, “I do not believe that there will be any personal searches,” Horton said. The one exception is for students, who could be searched, as they can now, if school officials believe the student has tobacco.
If school officials see someone smoking on school grounds, Horton said, they will ask the smoiker to stop. If the smoker continues, then it would become a legal issue.
“The next most likely would be to involve law enforcement if we have to,” Horton said.
The tobacco policies under consideration would completely ban tobacco from all school property and functions.
This will include possession, use, distribution or sale of tobacco in any form on district premises or school-sponsored events.
Tobacco use, distribution or sale by anyone will be prohibited in any building, facility or vehicle owned leased, rented or chartered by the district, school or public charter school.
The ban will include smoking in personal vehicles located on school property, and it raises issues about the Oregon Jamboree, which uses the school fields.
Some volunteers and patrons smoke, both on the athletic fields south of the high school and at campgrounds, most of which are located on school property throughout Sweet Home.
Some policy options will, in addition, prohibit clothing and other items that promote or advertise tobacco products.
The policies also outline disciplinary actions to be taken against students who smoke and against teachers who violate the policy, including dismissal.
The policies will require the district to promote smoking cessation resources and “other positive alternatives to discipline.”