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
Electronic Smoking Device
Unduplicated Student Count
Elementary School Name 2023 2024 2025 Middle School Name 2023 2024 2025 High School Name 2023 2024 2025
Barack H. Obama Elementary School 3 Cedar Grove Middle School 1 2 16 Arabia Mountain High School 2 9
Browns Mill Elementary School 3 Chamblee Middle School 3 2 Cedar Grove High School 34 31 66
Cary Reynolds Elementary School 1 Champion Middle Theme School 6 5 Chamblee High School 32 28 27
Dunwoody Elementary School 2 Chapel Hill Middle School 7 2 Clarkston High School 16 41 33
Edward L. Bouie, Sr. Elementary School 1 Columbia Middle School 18 5 30 Columbia High School 11 21 48
Evansdale Elementary School 2 Druid Hills Middle School 2 11 7 Cross Keys High School 4 25 43
Flat Shoals Elementary School 4 Freedom Middle School 34 4 13 Druid Hills High School 48 33 26
Henderson Mill Elementary School 1 Henderson Middle School 26 10 7 Dunwoody High School 74 63 37
Hightower Elementary School 3 2 Lithonia Middle School 20 26 39 Elizabeth Andrews High School 2 5 2
Idlewood Elementary School 5 Mary McLeod Bethune Middle School 38 12 22 Lakeside High School 32 14 10
Kelley Lake Elementary School 1 1 McNair Middle School 5 11 15 Lithonia High School 8 19 57
Kingsley Elementary School 1 Miller Grove Middle School 29 25 13 Martin Luther King, Jr. High School 68 76 61
Oakcliff Elementary School 1 Peachtree Middle School 26 10 27 McNair High School 26 30 64
Panola Way Elementary School 4 3 2 Redan Middle School 5 7 18 Miller Grove High School 35 31 41
Princeton Elementary School 1 Salem Middle School 18 14 19 Redan High School 17 22 25
Ronald E McNair Discover Learning Academy 3 Sequoyah Middle School 60 28 91 Southwest DeKalb High School 5 2 2
Rowland Elementary School 1 Stephenson Middle School 5 7 20 Stephenson High School 16 20 46
Snapfinger Elementary School 1 Stone Mountain Middle School 20 36 55 Stone Mountain High School 23 38 54
Stone Mountain Elementary School 1 Tucker Middle School 25 24 15 Towers High School 11 51 46
Wynbrooke Elementary School 2 Total Unduplicated Students 342 238 416 Tucker High School 13 18 11
Total Unduplicated Students 24 15 10 Total Unduplicated Students 475 570 708
School Count by Level Multi-Level School Name 2023 2024 2025
Elementary Schools 20 DeKalb Alternative School 34 1
Middle Schools 19 DeKalb PATH Academy Charter School 13 3
High Schools 20 GLOBE Academy Charter School 1
Multi-Level Schools 3 Total Unduplicated Students 47 2 3
Total Schools 62
Unduplicated Student Count 2023 2024 2025
Elementary Schools 24 15 10
Middle Schools 342 238 416
High Schools 475 570 708
Multi-Level Schools 47 2 3
Total Schools 888 825 1137
Source: Student Record DIS010 Report Page 1 of 1