Volusia County school leaders unanimously approved changes to the district’s student discipline policies, including new, specific consequences for vaping and updated classifications for fighting.
The changes are part of the district’s Code of Student Conduct and Discipline for the upcoming school year.
Vaping penalties would become more specific
Under the previous policy, vapes, e-cigarettes, nicotine, tobacco and other drug products are prohibited on school campuses, at school functions and on school transportation. Violations could lead to discipline including the district’s Volusia Assistance Prevention Education program, suspension and potentially expulsion.
The policy creates more specific consequences for students caught vaping.
For a first violation, students are required to complete a district-approved vape education course. They could also face in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension or placement in an alternative education setting.
If a student does not complete the course within 45 days, or refuses to participate, the student must be assigned to Alternative Education or Off-Campus Instruction for 45 days.
The same 45-day assignment is required for subsequent vaping violations.
The proposed policy does not list expulsion as a consequence specifically for vaping.
The changes come as vaping has remained an issue in Volusia County schools. In 2024, the district reported an 80% increase in vaping referrals, from 289 during the first three months of 2023 to 521 during the same period in 2024.
Volusia Schools spokesman Greg Turcheta said the district wants to avoid simply sending students home.
“Sending kids home for vaping leads them to vaping at home, so that’s not necessarily the best solution.”
Parent Sunnie Bennett said she supports requiring students to learn about the potential consequences of vaping.
“I love the idea of them having to be educated about the long term possible effects of starting that habit.”
Tobacco Free Florida estimates about 1 in 4 Volusia County high school students and 1 in 13 middle school students use electronic cigarettes or vaping devices.
Fighting would be classified by severity
The new code also spells out how fighting would be handled based on the seriousness of the incident.
A minor fight is classified as a Level 2 offense. That includes physical altercations without injury that stop when students are given a verbal command, such as pushing or shoving.
For a first Level 2 offense, consequences can include a required parent conference and three to five days of detention. A second offense can result in one to three days of in-school suspension.
A third offense for the same infraction would escalate to a Level 3 offense, which can result in one to five days of out-of-school suspension.
A major fight is classified as a Level 3 offense when physical intervention is needed to stop the fight or when someone is injured badly enough to require first aid or medical attention.
Level 3 consequences can include suspension, placement in an alternative education program and a recommendation for expulsion.
More serious conduct, including battery, is classified as a Level 4 offense. Expulsion must be recommended for Level 4 offenses under the proposed code.