Q I see a teacher smoking every morning about 100 feet from the Lowther school building. I thought that was prohibited. What is the school district policy on that?
A The number of feet from a building is not the key factor in determining violations of the school district’s smoking policy.
“If the staff member is 100 feet from the building but still on school property, it is a violation of district policy,” according to a written response from community relations director Nancy Horst.
“District policy prohibits smoking and use of tobacco products in or on all district property or at any school-sponsored event. Staff members are not permitted to use tobacco products while on duty, including break periods. Staff members may leave school property during their duty-free lunch periods.”
Horst said that employees who violate the terms of this tobacco policy “or any other tobacco policy” will face one or more of the following sanctions:
• Verbal warning
• Written reprimand
• Short-term suspension with pay
• Short-term suspension without pay
• Long-term suspension without pay
• Non-renewal of contract
• Termination or dismissal from employment
State statute places a definite measurement — 1,000 feet — on possession or sale of illegal drugs near schools. Drug law violations within that distance become more serious when school proximity is a factor.
• Readers with questions on topics of local interest may send them to Because You Asked, in care of The Emporia Gazette, Drawer C, Emporia KS 66801. Questions need to be signed, but names will not be revealed. Questions submitted anonymously will not be answered.
marbee (anonymous) says...
I read an article about a boy that OD'd on Nicorette gum given at school without parental knowledge. So, very quietly, pharmaceutical nicotine is pushed on 12 year old kids. If anyone doubted that the anti-smoking crusade leads back to Johnson & Johnson, the cat is totally out of the bag!
September 4, 2009 at 9:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
marbee (anonymous) says...
This anti-smoking, anti-fat, anti-alcohol campaign against people who just want to be free, has cost so much money with results the exact opposite of what most people thought it may be. The government knows that by targeting this population they would make gazillions of dollars in taxes, but they lose much more by businesses closing due to bans and lost employment, thus lost tax money. Don't believe the propoganda about second hand smoke, dig a little, it's all false, paid for by big pharma for their own brand of nicotine.
September 4, 2009 at 9:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
marbee (anonymous) says...
Close to 90% of the weight of tobacco smoke is composed of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and plain water (1989 Report of the Surgeon General p. 80). This mix is usually called “fresh air.”
September 4, 2009 at 9:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
marbee (anonymous) says...
This policy will lose some extremely well qualified educators. What a shame that it is taught that the land of the free is forever gone. Makes me wish I could sit in on a government class in this school district!
September 4, 2009 at 9:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ProMusician (anonymous) says...
Ridiculous.
These antis need to be deported.
A teacher smoking outside will not harm anyone or anything.
The diesel fuel used in the school buses and the fact that there are no seat belts in them should concern busybodies much more if they'd really like to do something "for the children".
September 4, 2009 at 9:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
marbee (anonymous) says...
Who needs morale in school!
September 4, 2009 at 10:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
ProMusician,
The teacher may not directly cause physical harm, but if kids look up to him/her they may decide to take up the habit because they saw their teacher doing it. I believe the same rule exists for alcohol and firearms.
'enry
September 5, 2009 at 10:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
Clearly the fact that the teacher could infulence their behavior was lost upon previous commenters.
"Makes me wish I could sit in on a government class in this school district!"
A class in logic would be more beneficial.
September 5, 2009 at 11:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
don't ferget them there pedal-files can't go no closer'n 1000 feets from a skool 2!
:)
September 5, 2009 at 11:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
d23_66801 (anonymous) says...
how crazy!
September 5, 2009 at 3:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
snowbird (anonymous) says...
People who break the law should be sent where the 13 Virgins are.
September 5, 2009 at 9:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ProMusician (anonymous) says...
"The teacher may not directly cause physical harm, but if kids look up to him/her they may decide to take up the habit because they saw their teacher doing it. I believe the same rule exists for alcohol and firearms."
.
You really have to be joking.
I certainly hope you are.
September 5, 2009 at 11:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cyzane (anonymous) says...
How petty to even ask such a queston! There are far worse problems to worry about than a teacher smoking outdoors. Her students can perhaps teach the teacher to take pot, crack, ecstacy, speed or some other popular youth drug this way she can give up smoking and everyone can sleep well at night knowing that she's no longer giving a bad example to the oh so pure kiddies. Sheeesh
September 6, 2009 at 5:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )