|
Smoking, or use of other
tobacco products, is prohibited by all persons, including students
and staff, in all areas of district owned or leased buildings and
surrounding grounds. Smoking, or use of other tobacco products, is
also prohibited in all district owned or leased vehicles.
Additionally, smoking, or use of
other tobacco products, is prohibited at any officially sanctioned
school event which takes place off school grounds. For example, smoking
is not permitted in the room(s) secured by the district or a school
related group for a school function. Smoking, or use of other tobacco
products, may be permitted in other areas of the off-site facility if
permitted by law and by operators of the off-site facility.
Employee violations
Employees found smoking outside designated smoking areas or during
school hours will be considered in violation of this policy. Employees
who violate this policy will be subject to discipline, and up to and
including dismissal, in accordance with New York state law and any
applicable collective bargaining agreement.
Student violations
Students found violating this policy will be referred to the County
Public Health Department for prosecution to the Public Health Law, and
may be subject to discipline penalties in accordance with the Student
Disciplinary Code.
Visitors violations
Other individuals found violating this policy shall be asked to cease
and desist and may be asked to leave the school premises if they do not
comply. If an individual continues to smoke or use tobacco products and
refuses to leave the school premises, the police authorities may be
contacted to remove the individual.
Policy handbook
A Policy on Smoking and Use of Tobacco Products handbook are available
at the district office, Academy Park, and at all district facilities.
The handbook is also given to all employees and is distributed to all
new employees upon hiring. Notice of the prohibition against smoking is
also posted on all school grounds to inform the general public.
Anyone desiring information or
clarification relative to these policies relating to smoking, or the use
of tobacco products, should contact their appropriate supervisory
personnel.
Pursuant to the Public Health
Law, the Board of Education designated the Assistant Superintendent for
Business as the agent of the district to be responsible for informing
individuals who are smoking or otherwise using tobacco products in
violation of this policy that they are acting in violation of this
policy and of Article 13 of the Public Health Law of the State of New
York.
This policy may be amended from
time to time by resolution of the board. All amendments must be in
conformance with Federal and New York State Law, and employees must be
notified.
All individuals on school
premises share in the responsibility for adhering to and enforcing this
policy.
Student regulations
-
Any student who violates the
district's smoking policy will be referred to the County Public
Health Department for prosecution pursuant to the Public Health Law.
-
In addition to referral to
the County Health Department, students may face additional
penalties, including but not limited to:
-
after-school detention
-
in-school suspension
-
out-of-school suspension
-
suspension or removal from
extracurricular activities in accordance with the district's
extracurricular activity policy (including but not limited to
participation in school trips, dances, the prom, sports, clubs, and
other activities)
The first time a student
violates the district's smoking policy, (s)he will be given the
opportunity to attend a smoking cessation program instead of receiving a
detention or suspension. A student's participation in the cessation
program does not prohibit the district from enforcing its
extracurricular policies against the students. For example, a student
athlete caught smoking may still be suspended from his/her team, even if
(s)he attends the cessation program.
Superintendent's Provision for Prevention Program
Understanding the severity of the consequences
when a student violates the Smoking/Use of Tobacco Products Policy, the
district will institute preventive strategies and activities aimed at
educating students about the hazards of tobacco use.
-
Mandatory coverage of this
topic within the Know Your Body Curriculum K-6
-
Mandatory coverage of this
topic within the Comprehensive Health Curriculum 7-12
-
Annual Health Fair held at
Albany High School will feature a segment on the prevention of
smoking and tobacco use
-
Ongoing training of student
assistance counselors on the secondary level in smoking cessation
programs and alternatives to suspension
|
