Agenda Item
d. Vape Sensors for High Schools (Not to exceed $1,602,443.27) ~ Updated 8.10.2025
Summary: Presented by: Kishia K. Towns, Ph.D., Chief of Wrap Around Services, Division of Wrap Around Services
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb Board of Education approve the contract with South Western Communications, Inc. (SWC) to purchase vape sensors for high schools for an amount not to exceed $1,602,443.27.
Why: Installing vape sensors in all high schools across DeKalb County School District aligns directly with Strategic Goal 4.1-to ensure a safe, orderly, and supportive learning environment. These sensors discreetly monitor air quality in high-risk areas like restrooms and locker rooms, detect vaping (including nicotine and THC), and immediately alert staff-reducing staff patrols and allowing them to focus on teaching rather than surveillance. By deterring vaping, improving indoor air quality, and enabling timely, data-informed interventions, the initiative not only helps enforce school policies but also supports student health and fosters a respectful, disruption-free atmosphere consistent with DCSD’s culture and climate objectives.
• Over 22,000 vaping-related disciplinary incidents were reported in Georgia schools during the 2022-23 academic year, a sharp increase from roughly 18,700 the previous year-highlighting a statewide surge in vaping behavior among students (The Atlanta Journal-
Constitution Feb 19, 2024).
• In Georgia, over 10% of high schoolers reported vaping at least once in the past month, with 7% using e-cigarettes during the previous 30 days-and an additional 4% reporting dual use of e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes (UGA Today August 29, 2022).
• Nationally, vaping remains prevalent, with 7.8% of high schoolers and 3.5% of middle schoolers reporting current e-cigarette use in 2024-totaling 1.63 million U.S. youth-and 26.3% of users using it daily (CDC September 5, 2024).
U.S. Middle & High School Students
2023
2024
-
• Current ecigarette use (%)
7.7%
5.9% (PMC)
• High school current use (%)
10.0%
7.8%
• Middle school current use (%)
4.6%
3.5%
• Users vaping daily (%)
-
26.3%
Georgia (Statewide)
• Disciplinary vaping incidents
22,209 (2022-23)
-
• Students disciplined for vaping (approx.)
-
17,500 (2023-24)
• Suspension days for vaping
-
12,268 days
Details: The purchase and installation of these discreet ceiling-mounted sensors will be installed in high-risk, private areas like restrooms and locker rooms to continuously monitor air quality for nicotine and THC aerosols. Once a threshold is reached, sensors will instantly alert designated staff, facilitating real-time intervention, preserving instructional time, and safeguarding student health without invasive surveillance. This collaborative, data-driven initiative aligns with Strategic Goal Area 4-Culture and Climate-by proactively creating a safer, more supportive environment while optimizing staff resources and ensuring student privacy.
Financial impact: The purchase and deployment of vape detection devices in high schools for an amount not to exceed $1,602,443.27 would include leveraging the use of JUUL funds under the general budget Charge Code: 582.0000.419950.08121.7200.9990.8010.115.0008.
Contact: Kishia K. Towns, Ph.D., Chief of Wrap Around Services, Division of Wrap Around Services, 678.676.1811,
Dr. Shannon Crosslin, Senior Counseling Coordinator, Student Advancement Department, Division of Wrap Around Services, 404.808.8942
Effective: Upon Board Approval
Status: Pending Approval by the Office of Legal Affairs
HALO SMART SENSOR 3C
INTRODUCING THE NEW
HALO Smart
Sensor 3C
our multi-functional health, safety & vape
detection device.
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as it does not use cameras, record audio, or capture any
personally identifiable information (PII), making it the perfect
solution for privacy areas such as restrooms and common areas.
New security and environmental monitoring features provide users
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features add to HALO’s existing features of gunshot detection, HALO Smart Sensor is Multi-Patented
noise alerts, and emergency keyword alerting. and Design is Trademarked
EMERGENCY ESCAPE & ALERT LIGHTING PANIC BUTTON
HALO 3C comes with a literal HALO of LED colored Users can trigger alerts via an external 3rd party panic
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escape routes for safety such as a red, yellow, and trigger is associated to the HALO device in closest
green pattern. Create unique colors for different alerts proximity.
such as purple for Air Quality alerts or blue for Health
alerts. The lights themselves are projected onto the
ceiling around the HALO for extended visibility. OCCUPANCY AND PEOPLE COUNTING
Identify how many people are within the HALO
location and configure to alert on abnormalities.
MOTION DETECTION
Identify and alert on movement for occupancy and
trespassing.
Easier Installation with 3C with
Surface Mount Installation and Power
CUSTOM SENSOR OPTIONS TWO Units Using One Cable Run*
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Convergint Technologies LLC
Authorized Dealer convergint.com
Key Features
HEALTH
Carbon Carbon Nitrogen Relative Temperature TVOC Particulates Chemicals
Health Index Air Quality Index Monoxide Dioxide Dioxide Humidity
SAFETY
Help Panic Button Aggression Gunshot Motion Occupancy Emergency Escape Tamper
(Spoken Keyword) (People Counter) & Alert Lighting
VAPE
THC Vape Vape Masking
“HALO, how
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HALO 3C - General Specifications HALO 3C - Network Specifications
Operating Ethernet In RJ-45 (10/100 Base-T)
32°F - 122°F (0°C - 50°C)
Temperature
Ethernet Out RJ-45 (10/100 Base-T) IEEE 802.3af Class Compliance
Operating
0 to 90% Relative Humidity (non-condensing)
Humidity Protocols BACnet, RTSP, TCP/IP, IPV4/V6, HTTP, HTTPS, DHCP, ARP, Bonjour
Single HALO 3C, PoE (IEEE 802.3af Class 3 Compliance) 11W. Wireless 2.4 GHZ IEEE 802.11 b/g/n/ac Wireless
Power Supply HALO 3C with additional tethered HALO 3C, PoE (IEEE 802.3at
Class 3 Compliance) 22W* Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.0, BLE
Dimensions 5.5” x 2.0” (140mm x 51mm)
HALO 3C - Interface Specifications *Image display of sensor readings only.
Weight 0.8 lbs (0.365 kgs)
Live Display
Surface Mount, Pole Mount (optional), Conduit Adapter 1024 x 768, IFPS, Live MJPEG or H264, 8 Users maximum
Mounting Options Resolution*
(optional)
MEMS Microphones (2) [Audio Analysis Only] No Recording of Live
Vandal IK8 rated, vandal proof housing with Tamper Alert Audio
Stream
UL, CUL, CE, RoHS, FCC, WEEE, NRCS, ACMA, RCA, UKCA, Air Quality Index (AQI), Health Index, Vape, Vape THC, Aggression,
Certifications
VCCI Gunshot, Spoken Keyword, Tamper, Particulates, Carbon Dioxide
Alarm Triggers Calibrated, Total Volatile Organic Compounds, Carbon Monoxide,
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Motion Detection, Occupancy (People Counter), Panic Button
Arcules, Vivotek, Pelco, Ganz Cortrol, Nx Witness, Qognify, DW Spectrum IPVMS,
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Input 1, Isolated, 12 VDC / 24 VAC
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Network Defender, Aruba HPE, Connect One, AMT, Gallagher, NuLEDs, Singlewire
External
Informacast and many others! Device Power 5VDC out at 300mA
Supported Languages: English, Foreign Languages Supported Output
Emergency Keywords: HALO supports multiple keywords Status Light Alarm Condition, Multi-Color, Programmable
Speaker Alarm Condition, Pre-Recorded Files, Programmable WAV Files
Complies with 21 CFR 1040.10 and 1040.11 except for conformance with
IEC 60825-1 Ed. 3., as described in Laser Notice No. 56, dated May 8, 2019.
Convergint Technologies LLC
Authorized Dealer convergint.com