The Redwood City School District is proposing to install vape detectors in bathrooms at Kennedy Middle School, devices that detect when someone is vaping and immediately alerts school administrators.
The district aims to test the vape detectors at the middle school at 2521 Goodwin Ave. in Redwood City before rolling them out to other school sites.
At Wednesday’s meeting, the Board of Trustees is set to decide whether to move forward with a $22,515 contract with Siemens to install the vape detectors at Kennedy Middle.
When the detectors sense vaping, the system immediately alerts school administrators by text and/or email, and analytics are provided to help determine when and where incidents most often occur.
The technology doesn’t only detect vapor, but also noise. It can detect and report loud incidents such as fighting or bullying, according to the proposed contract by Siemens.
District staff say funding for the pilot project will come from the Measure T bond issue approved by voters in 2015.
The technology comes amid national concern over the prevalence of vaping among students at both middle and high schools, an issue revisited today in the New York Times.
To view the agenda for the Board of Trustees meeting Wednesday, go here.
