26-03-2025
District reports uptick in vaping incidents with new sensors
GOSHEN — With the vape sensors now installed in all Goshen High School bathrooms for about a month, Goshen Community Schools' Assistant Superintendent Alan Metcalfe said the school has seen an uptick in the number of alarms triggered.
The district began piloting the HALO Smart Sensor 2C System detectors in November and decided to purchase them for all high school bathrooms at the end of the trial period in December. The system detects real-time air quality and health index alerts to administrators using carbon dioxide, temperature, and humidity detection, determining possible instances of bullying, fighting or smoking. They cost around $1,100 with two-year subscription offering the first year free, for a total cost of $2,400.
In the trial month, around 237 unique events were reported. Notifications go to administration and the resource officer to alert them that there may be activity in the restroom. Metcalfe reported to the Goshen School Board on Monday that while assistant principals are responsible for managing the system, they may not always be available.
'By the time we get to a student, it might be difficult to prove that they were the ones in there vaping,' Metcalfe said, noting that regardless, families are contacted in the event a student is identified in the bathroom when the sensor goes off via camera.
'It has given an opportunity to talk to families and really start spreading that message that vapes are an issue and we really don't want them here at school so please talk to your student about that if you would,' Metcalfe said.
Board president Bradd Weddell asked if all parents are contacted if there are multiple students in the restroom at that time.
Metcalfe said students are called to the office and asked if they have anything on them and asked to check their bag and parents are still called regardless.
Weddell expressed concern that parents may be falsely contacted.
'I know if I would receive a call, it would be concerning,' Weddell said.
Metcalfe assured him that when they contact parents and are unsure, they always make sure to let parents know that they are unsure.
'We always also encourage students that if the sensor goes off when you're in there and it's not you, please report that to a teacher or administrator,' Metcalfe added.
OTHER BOARD ITEMS
• After problems with potable water, painted surfaces and fire hydrants have been resolved with the baseball/softball complex, the district is still set for a double-header of both baseball and softball marking the first usage of the new complex on April 1. DuBois said while it's not set in stone yet, they hope to move ahead with a first-pitch ribbon cutting ahead of that game. The first game on the fields as a whole, however, will be the softball game Wednesday.
• Funding for the Summer Learning Lab was approved at the board meeting. The grant from the state allows kids in kindergarten through eighth grade to attend summer school, mostly likely at Chamberlain Elementary School, for about five weeks. The board approved a memorandum of understanding with the Boys & Girls Club for a Summer Learning Lab for the program and funding for after program services.
• Angela M. McKee was chosen by the Goshen Community School Board to serve as the director of the Goshen Community Schools Building Corporation. McKee is already the corporation director and her term was up, so she was reappointed.
• The district is working with SmartSites to improve the district website. They are hoping to update and reduce clutter.
• Goshen Community Schools' spring break is April 7 through 11.
