GDOE can't reveal disciplinary action over vape incident

The chairman of the Guam Education Board today responds to the video of students vaping in a classroom at a local high school.

The students were blowing up smoke in the class and filming the incident for social media. This video isn't blowing over well with Guam Education Board Chairman Mark Mendiola.

"If it wasn't for Whatsapp or social media or Instagram, we wouldn't know that this thing is happening," he said. "But now that it's out there, how do we behave, how do we address those issues and as a board our main concern is are the policies being followed in terms of discipline."

The discipline policy at Guam Department of Education schools does not tolerate any type of tobacco product including e-cigarettes.

Superintendent Jon Fernandez told KUAM possession could result in suspension, as for teachers and or staff, he said the Family Educational and Privacy Rights federal law bars the department from releasing any administrative action.

"This section of federal law prevents education officials from disclosing certain information about students without the consent of parents," he said. "I believe GDOE is among the most transparent agencies (and we try to be), but there are limitations based on federal laws such as FERPA and failure to comply would put in jeopardy our access to about $60million in federal funds."

Mendiola agreed. 

"It's an operational issue at the board level we supervise the superintendent that's our only employee so we have to trust that the superintendent took the appropriate administrative action," Mendiola said.

And like the superintendent, Mendiola could not confirm allegations that any teacher was involved, but he does say he trusts the process.

"Obviously I don't know if a teacher was involved in it, but of course it would be very disheartening to know that because our students are entrusted in the care of adults," he said.

It's adult care that includes parental supervision. When it comes to keeping campuses vape-free, Mendiola said parents and the community play a major role.

"I'm a parent of children in the public school system, so I always ask what are you carrying in your bag," he said. "I'm just an active engaged parent, so I always ask if you ask and you check it's not that I don't trust my children it's just to make sure that I don't get a phone call for stuff that I know as a parent should not be at schools."

"It takes a whole entire community to really wrap ourselves around this because obviously if they have access to vaping or even alcohol for that fact, you got to wonder when it comes into the school campuses where are our kids having access to this," Mendiola said.

Also, the Island Board of Governing Students or IBOGs are also weighing in to strengthen board policy to tackle vaping on school grounds, Mendiola said.