Melbourne High School is closing restrooms and using metal detector wands to curb a vaping problem the school board chairman calls an epidemic. Principal Brian Hester announced the measures in a letter to parents last week, citing a sharp increase in students bringing vaping devices to campus. The school is closing a limited number of restrooms to monitor student behavior and reduce vaping incidents, with staff checking stalls during class periods and passing times. Students have been caught vaping in groups inside stalls, passing devices between each other, according to Hester.
School Board Chairman Matt Susan called the issue worse than the cigarette epidemic of the past. He cited cases where students have collapsed in class after vaping, requiring medical transport or follow-up doctor visits. The district voted last week to implement disciplinary actions tied to educational resources explaining the health risks of vaping. But Hester said Melbourne High needed stronger measures after seeing multiple incidents involving devices containing nicotine, THC, or other substances.
The school is using metal wands to scan students for vaping devices across the district. Hester said the restrooms closures are part of a broader strategy to disrupt the pattern of students vaping in private spaces. "We’ve seen students go into stalls in groups and pass around vapes," he said. "This is not just about discipline—it’s about keeping kids safe."
The district has also increased counseling and parent education programs, but Hester emphasized the need for immediate enforcement. "We can’t wait for long-term solutions when kids are already getting sick," he said. The school is working with local health officials to provide medical evaluations for students caught vaping. Parents who want to discuss the measures can contact the school office directly.