Every year, the Trigg County Public Schools Board of Education — and other governing bodies like it — must sit down, review and eventually adopt annual Kentucky Revised Statutes that come from the General Assembly.
This effort began with Thursday night’s first reading from Director of Personnel and Student Services James Mangels, who brought to attention many changes assuredly coming to district’s Code of Conduct.
The two biggest directly involve the arrival of legal medical marijuana in 2025, and the state’s full crackdown of vape and tobacco use on both owned and leased public school property.
Much like city and county municipalities must do before August, Mangels said the board has to make a decision as to whether or not clinical cannabis for students will be allowed in the district beginning the next school year.
And while Mangels said the population of users might be a small one, it cannot legally specifically be determined because of HIPPA and other governing identity shields.
Board attorney Jack Lackey, alongside board member Charlene Sheehan, weighed in on what could be a tough choice.
Mangels then went on to describe a litany of laws coming down for tobacco products, which include the following:
— Evidence-based, age-appropriate nicotine prevention and cessation materials shall be distributed to all students at the start of the school year. This includes all grades.
— Signage shall be posted on, or in, all property, including any vehicle owned/leased/contracted by the district, clearly stating the use of tobacco products is prohibited at all times by all persons on, or in, the property, lest be punished accordingly.
— And school employees shall enforce these policies.
While Mangels said more literature and understanding would come at a later time, this language is clear, especially for students — who, across the state, are on a dangerous rise with vapor use.
The district, meanwhile, rents the Trigg County Recreation Complex for use of its softball and baseball diamonds, as well as soccer field, and there are wide open berths for individuals wanting a light. Perdue Field has long had fans in the stands taking a quick drag on a cigarette or vape cartridge, or a quick dip to the lip or cheek. Some teachers, bus drivers and other school personnel have always taken that daily needed 15-minute break.
Not anymore.
A second reading of all Code of Conduct changes will come before August, before the board must approve them.
In other district news:
— Board members took another step in the direction of hiring the next superintendent, closing the evening with executive session for discussions regarding an employee.
No action was taken, but prior to, Board Chair Jo Alyce Harper read a personal note to the outgoing Bill Thorpe.
Harper lauded Thorpe’s tenure, which did include his guidance on the development of “Voice of the Wildcats,” the “28-Plus Club,” the construction of the co-curricular building, the remodel of the CTE vocational school, the elementary school renovation, the Perdue Field press box and restroom improvements, and other critical changes.
Thorpe’s final day: June 30.
