The Tangipahoa Parish School System board meeting on July 25, 2025, focused heavily on the urgent need to address vaping among students. A board member passionately advocated for stricter policies to combat the rising trend of vaping in schools, emphasizing that current consequences for violations are insufficient.

The board member highlighted that under the existing policy, a first offense for possessing a vape results in only a one-day suspension, which they deemed unacceptable given the illegal nature of these products. They argued that the current disciplinary measures do not align with those for other substances, such as alcohol, which carry more severe penalties. The member called for a reevaluation of the vaping policy, suggesting that the board should implement stricter guidelines similar to those established for fighting, which had successfully reduced incidents by 50%.

The discussion included proposals for a tiered disciplinary approach, where repeat offenders would face more significant consequences, including mandatory meetings with a Disciplinary Review Committee. The board member expressed concern about the growing prevalence of vaping among younger students, even in fifth grade, and stressed the importance of the school system taking a stand against this issue.

Additionally, the board discussed procedural changes that could allow for quicker updates to the vaping policy without needing to reconvene for formal approval. This flexibility would enable the administration to respond promptly to the evolving situation.

The meeting concluded with a consensus that further discussions and potential policy revisions would be necessary to effectively tackle the vaping problem in schools. The board plans to revisit the vaping policy in future meetings, aiming to establish a more robust framework to protect students and uphold school standards.