PERRYSBURG – Penta Career Center has added e-cigarettes to its no-tobacco policy on campus.
The policy was added to the student/parent handbook and applies to both secondary and adult students.
If a student is caught with tobacco products, whether cigarettes or chew, they were required to take a
three-hour cessation class at St. Luke’s Hospital on a Saturday.
A new program will go into effect this year that will hold the cessation program on the Penta campus on
Wednesdays and it will be open to all of Penta’s 16 served school district.
The policy applies to both using tobacco, in possession and even suspected use, said Jerry Gladieux,
supervisor of student affairs.
If a student walks into the school with the oval ring of a chewing tobacco container in his pocket, he’ll
be pulled aside.
If a student is seen smoking as they pull into the parking lot, that is enough to search the vehicle,
Gladieux said.
After the meeting and before the executive session, board member Robert Righi was spotted walking back
toward the building with a lit cigarette in his hand.
Superintendent Ron Matter said the policy "does not apply to the grounds" when an adult is
caught smoking.
Students are prohibited from having tobacco or related substance in the building, on school property and
at school activities, according to Matter.
For staff, the policy in place forbids tobacco use in the building and in school transportation.
"They are supposed to smoke in the vehicle," Matter said.
He indicated that Righi is not considered a staff member.
Also at the meeting, the board honored four area firms for their support of Penta:
The Andersons Inc., First Solar Inc., North Star BlueScope and Rudolph/Libbe Inc.
Representatives from each firm were in attendance to received a framed copy of the award, part of the
Ohio School Boards Association’s Business Honor Roll.
"These companies are great examples of school-business partnerships that provide strong support of
Penta Career Center and our students and staff," said board President William Green in a prepared
statement.
First Solar, of Perrysburg, donated a robot to the advanced manufacturing lab.
The Andersons, on Toledo, provides scholarship aid.
North Star BlueScope, of Delta, offers internship opportunities as well as scholarships.
Rudolph-Libbe, of Perrysburg, provides school-to-work placement opportunities.