The following is a letter to the Mahopac community from Superintendent of Schools Anthony DiCarlo, 02/08/2019:
Dear Mahopac Community,
I would like to take a moment to talk about a prevalent drug trend affecting our nation’s schools, as well as the response our District implements to keep our schools safe and drug-free.
E-cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco product among U.S. middle and high school students. In response to the growing use of e-cigarette vaping devices among high school students, Mahopac Central School District has policies in place to prevent the use of such devices on school grounds. E-cigarette use increased seventy-eight percent among high school students in 2018. In an effort to protect the student body and curb this epidemic in Mahopac schools, the District includes the following provision in the Code of Conduct:
“Smoking, using, possessing, or selling a cigarette, cigar, pipe, chewing tobacco, lighters, matches, e-cigarettes, vaporizers or other devices used to inhale a non-prescribed substance.”
Any student found with any of these devices will be in violation of these provisions and may be subjected to discipline, referred to the Superintendent, and assigned sessions with the Student Assistance Counselor.
Students found in possession of devices with liquids or oils that contain THC or CBD concentrates or other controlled substances will subject themselves to an out-of-school suspension, and referred to a superintendent’s hearing. The District is committed to curbing the use or possession of illegal substances in the schools. If found guilty at a hearing of possession of a vaping device containing THC or CBD substances, the violating student may be subjected to an extended period of out-of-school suspension.
These measures reflect the gravity we ascribe to the objective of stopping the trend of use or possession of these devices among school-aged children.
Respectfully yours,
Anthony DiCarlo
Superintendent of Schools
