By Patricia Morrison
Washington Times-Herald
WASHINGTON — The Washington School Board is considering making all school property and events completely smoke free. The current policy bans tobacco on school property by students, staff and visitors during school and activity hours, but smoking is allowed in designated areas. Superintendent Dr. Bruce Hatton said the proposed policy would ban all use of tobacco on district premises, in district vehicles, at any indoor/outdoor facility owned or leased or contracted for by the district and used to provide educational services to children at all district-sponsored events. Sally Petty, coordinator for Daviess County Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Coalition, addressed the board explaining that 70 percent of school corporations in Indiana have a completely smoke-free policy. In the area, North Daviess, Loogootee, Shoals and Pike Central have all adopted the stricter policy. “This will put action behind our words,” Petty said. The new policy would send a strong message to students that the school corporation is against smoking. “This would also protect students, staff and visitors from secondhand smoke.” Assistant Superintendent Gary Puckett suggested that policing the policy would be easier if no pass-outs are issued for sporting events. Board member Peg Stevens suggested that pass-outs for adults be given with the instruction that they leave school property, including school-owned parking lots. She said that Loogootee School Corporation has had the policy for a year and patrons are told they must cross the parking lot to public property to smoke. “They would have to be by the swimming pool or National Guard lot (near Washington High School),” she added. Petty said that the school systems she has been working with haven’t had complaints from patrons about the policy and people are obeying the new rules. She said that enforcement is easier if the new policy is communicated clearly and early to parents and the community, as well as the reasons behind it and its importance. She also said the policy should be announced at all events and tobacco-free signs should be prominently placed on the grounds. The coalition would purchase the signs. Hatton told the board more information will be gathered and they will look at the policies of other school corporations before bringing it to the board for a vote. In other business Athletic policy Hatton said a committee is being formed to look at the athletic policy. The policy was passed by the board, but with recent problems, in another school district including criminal charges concerning harassment and bullying, the policy will get another look. Washington High School Principal Paul White is forming the committee that will include students, parents, staff and a board member. They will also look at the guidelines for athletic pictures displayed near the high school gymnasium. Board New board member Jay Armes and re-elected members Pam Bartlett, Gary Frette and Steve Bouchie were sworn in by Hatton. All board officers were re-elected. Dairy, Bakery Bids The board approved the dairy bid from Prairie Farms and the bakery bid from Earth Grains (Sara Lee). Meal prices The board approved leaving breakfast and lunch prices at the 2009-2010 prices. The number of breakfasts served at the school increased from 83,413 in 2008-2009 to 90,786 last school year. The increase in student lunches was from 249,619 to 276,105. Puckett said the increase in lunches served was due to the closed campus. Elementary book fees Assistant Superintendent Becky Dayton said the book fees for 2010-2011 were slightly lower that last school year as the corporation didn’t get new math books. The state had recommended that the schools wait until the new math standards were released to order new books. She did say that a technology fee had been added. The board approved the book fees.
