Vape detectors installed recently in Galt Joint Union High School District campuses are having an immediate impact, principals reported to the board of trustees on Oct. 13. The board also received an update on school safety, renewed the superintendent’s contract, and allowed certain accounting modifications.
Principal Joe Saramago of Liberty Ranch High School stated that the vape detectors instantly started notifying staff when students smoked e-cigarettes in restrooms. The avalanche of notifications during the initial several days of operation, he said, was “eye-opening” both for him and his Galt High School counterpart, Principal Kellie Beck.
“I will state that I believe it has an effect. “I mean, the kids know, and they’re quite accurate,” Saramago explained. He went on to say that he had witnessed a “substantial drop” and added that the initiative would keep youngsters safe from narcotics.
The detectors differentiate between electronic cigarette vapor as well as other aerosols, which is important because hairspray or other items are occasionally employed to “mask” vaping.
Beck mentioned in her statement to the board that on Oct. 16 late Galt High football coach Erv Hatzenbuhler would be enshrined into the Sac-Joaquin Section Hall of Fame, and the other school delegates were looking forward to the celebration in Sacramento. Pat Maple, a trustee, remembered Hatzenbuhler fondly and wished for a local hall of fame.
Superintendent Lisa Pettis provided an update on school security, saying that district personnel looked for classrooms where a teacher would not be able to see outside when there was a lockdown. They discovered 33 such classrooms and bought peepholes for the doors. The superintendent also stated that the district’s radio system would be updated.
Pettis’ contract was unanimously extended for another year by the board. Trustee Melissa Neuburger stated just before the vote that the board is “extremely happy” with Pettis’ work from the time she was appointed last year.
“(We’re) delighted to have you on board and delighted to confirm the contract,” Neuburger stated.
Douglas Crancer, the district’s chief business officer, provided some changes to the district’s expenses and revenues for the 2021-22 school session. He first discussed the unaudited actuals at the board’s September 9 meeting.
Crancer detailed steps to “clean up” the district’s bookkeeping, such as reclassifying spending for document scans and internet surveillance, as well as items relating to the district’s enrollment in the K12 Strong Workforce collaboration. Furthermore, some interim paychecks were paid from one account and refunded to another, which was corrected.
Crancer used the occasion to ratify certain overdue salary payments under the teachers’ union contract while making the revisions. The net change in the general fund balance was quite minor, a fall of approximately $45,000 down from over $2.2 million, but it was significant enough to require board ratification.
The trustees unanimously agreed to approve the report once again.
Miguel Munguia, the student delegate from Estrellita High School, was sworn in by Pettis. Munguia joins Liberty Ranch’s Sierra Dunnagan and Galt High’s Julie Sporleder as delegates.
