NEVC R-1 board discusses updated tobacco, alcohol and drug policy

Discussion related to the implementation of a revised tobacco, alcohol and drug policy was among the top agenda items during the Northeast Vernon County R-1 Board of Education's regular monthly meeting Thursday evening.

The policy now prohibits electronic cigarettes, vaping, and "similar objects used in conjunction with vaping."

The first and second readings of the updated policy were approved, and is slated to be finalized at February's regular monthly meeting.

The board also discussed the availability and storage of Narcan.

According to www.rxlist.com, Narcan "is an opioid antagonist used for the complete or partial reversal of opioid overdose, including respiratory depression. Narcan is also used for diagnosis of suspected or known acute opioid overdose — and also for blood pressure support in septic shock."

"I think vaping will decrease as it loses its novelty," R-1 Superintendent Charles Naas told the Daily Mail after the meeting. "I think kids now are trying it just to try it."

The updated policy regarding vaping is from a state-wide source, and was not written by NEVC.

"Vaping is harder to find, it's harder to detect," Naas said. "And the kids are able to pull it off so much easier than smoking, or even chewing tobacco."

Naas said student vaping has occurred on the NEVC campus.

"We've taken some devices away, and caught some kids in the act," he said, adding "even grade schools are dealing with it."

Also during the meeting, Naas' superintendent contract was renewed for the 2020-21 school year. Naas has been in the district for 26 years, with 16 of those spent as R-1 superintendent.

"It's always good to get your job back," Naas told the Daily Mail with a wry smile. "This has been my home, and I enjoy being here."

Naas said he's seen some fairly dramatic changes since his first year as superintendent.

"All the issues I never thought we would be dealing with," he said, referencing vaping and gender issues as examples.

Naas added: "Some of these things I'm reading, and thinking 'wow.' There was a policy about a bill (requiring) mandatory human bus drivers, no robots."

The topic of a bill introduced roughly a year ago by Missouri State Senator Ed Emery (R) was broached during Thursday's meeting.

According to www.emisosurian.com Bill SB130 "would allow home-schooled students to participate on public school athletic teams governed by the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA). SB 130 would force the MSHSAA to change its current policy on barring public schools from participating in statewide activities associations which prohibit home-schoolers."

The bill essentially states a school would be barred from being a member of the Missouri State High School Activities Association if they did not allow home-schooled students to be student-athletes at MSHSAA affiliated schools.

"I'm definitely not for it," Naas told the Daily Mail, pointing to a major difference in schedules. "I'm not against home-schooling at all, I'm totally in support of it. But those kids are not held to the same standards as public school students are."

Naas said he didn't think it would be fair if home-schooled students were allowed to be on a team where the classroom standards and eligibility requirements drastically differed — to compete.