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Date: 11/7/2023
WARE — During the Oct. 25 School Committee meeting, Ware Superintendent Michael Lovato announced that administrators at Ware Junior Senior High School will begin to use handheld metal detector wands to locate electronic cigarettes in students’ possessions.
The new procedure, which went into effect Nov. 6, is designed to ensure students are safe without being too “invasive,” Lovato explained in an interview, stating that students will often hide e-cigarettes, also referred to as vape pens, in pockets or other places that administrators don’t search.
“There are metal components within the vape pens and so rather than putting our hands in students’ pockets, jackets and stuff like that, by simply using a wand we’re not touching the kids, we’re not violating the kids,” Lovato said during the meeting. “We are going to work with our Police Department and our attorney to make sure that everything we’re doing is adequate.”
Currently, the school utilizes sensors to detect vapors from e-cigarettes in the building’s bathrooms. When a sensor is triggered, Principal Scott Slattery is alerted and the student under suspicion is searched by an administrator, Lovato stated.
With the new procedure, students will be required to “empty their personal belongings” and be checked for e-cigarettes with a metal detector, according to a Nov. 1 statement by Lovato. However, the wand will only be used with students’ consent. If a student refuses the search, they will not be allowed to return to class until administrators meet with their guardians.
In addition to the sensors, Ware Junior Senior High School also has an awareness program to educate students on the dangers of vaping, Lovato explained, highlighting that the school communicates with families and counselors when supporting students.
“We need to know what is happening on our campus,” Lovato said. “There’s nothing safe about it [vaping].” He emphasized that the use of e-cigarettes is increasing across the country and the new procedure will help eliminate the chance of Ware students becoming “impaired.”