Towns County Board of Education updates schools’ tobacco-free policy

HIAWASSEE, Ga.- Towns County Board of Education revised its 100% Tobacco-Free School policy to include prohibiting vapor, hemp, and cannabis products on campus. All forms of tobacco products, including chewing tobacco and E-cigarettes, along with items depicting or promoting tobacco use, were previously banned from Towns County Schools, and the former measures remain in effect. Students, employees, and visitors are subject to adherring to the “24 hours per day, 7 days per week” anywhere-on-campus policy.

Added to the existing policy is the following clause:

“This prohibition shall include: unlawful use, cultivation,manufacture, distribution, sale, purchase, possession, transportation, or importation of any controlled drug or narcotic substance, being under the influence of any controlled drug, narcotic substance, or any mind-altering substance or intoxicant (legal or illegal) specifically including any product with cannabidiod (CBD), whether hemp or cannabis and regardless of the amount of THC in the product or the extent to which it is legal or illegal under state law,” the revised edition reads.

School district employees who violate the policy are subject to reprimand, suspension with or without pay, or termination. Student violators will be subject to disciplinary action under the school’s code of conduct provisions. Vistors will be reminded of the policy in a “tactful and courteous manner” and will be asked to adhere to the policy.

“This will be on the agenda for approval at the September 3rd meeting,” Secretary to the Superintendent Paula Whitehead said.