The 88th Texas Legislature passed House Bill 114 (HB 114) in response to growing concerns regarding substance abuse in schools. For Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, the law mandates that any student found in possession of an e-cigarette or vape device on school premises or at any school-school affiliated event must be referred to the Alternative Learning Center (ALC). If ALC is at capacity at the time of the student’s referral, the student will remain in in-school suspension (ISS) until either a spot at ALC opens up or they complete their placement time.
Associate Principal Frank Fraley has seen a change among students, many of whom do not want to go to ALC.
“We are finding fewer incidents than when we found last year of students being found in possession of substances or smoking in restrooms,” Fraley said. “It’s not a cure, but we have seen a reduction in the number of placements.”
Administrators will conduct an investigation to determine if the student knowingly was in possession of an e-cigarette.
“Once we are able to verify that, students are recommended to an alternative school, ALC East, for a minimum 10-day placement,” Fraley said.
Placements can range from 10 to 45 days per House Bill 114.
“The environment over there [at ALC] is a lot more restrictive,” Fraley said. “You walk the metal detectors, you don’t even have to even bring your own Chromebooks anymore. There are silent lunches and uniforms.”
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is just one highly-addictive substance often found in vapes, along with nicotine. While at ALC, students with placements for e-cigarette or vape related-offenses are provided with drug counseling.
“You have a drug counselor who works with students who are there, especially if it’s their second placement for vapes, or THC, or things like that,” Fraley said.
Many students consider vaping a social norm, and Fraley believes prevention is critical.
“You prevent young people from getting addicted at an early age because I think we’re just dealing with the fall out of people who may have been smoking this since middle school,” Fraley said.
History teacher Thomas Miller has taught at Cy Creek for 20 years and seen many changes during his time. HB 114 is just another of those changes.
“As long as [the policy] is enforced, of course it will make changes – and it should,” Miller said.
Senior and National Honor Society President Jenna-Mi Tran anticipates positive changes from HB 114.
“I think the new state policy will discourage wasting valuable educational time and increase student attendance in class,” Tran said. “I definitely think the policy will help Creek take one step closer to achieving school-wide academic success.