E-cigarettes banned on Mt. Lebanon school property

Electronic cigarettes will now be prohibited on any property owned by the Mt. Lebanon School District.

The school board Monday approved an update to the district’s tobacco-free schools policy that applies to students, visitors and employees, according to William Moorhead, chair of the board policy committee. It covers all districtowned property, including schools, parking lots and stadiums.

The existing policy prohibited traditional cigarettes, chewing tobacco and other forms of tobacco. E-cigarettes, also known as vapes, don’t contain tobacco. They vaporize liquids with nicotine and other chemical flavors so that they can be inhaled.

Also during the meeting, the board recognized longtime administrative assistant Jeanine Szalinski with the “Extra Mile” award, for her exceptional service to the district.

“She is someone who simply gets it done and does it well,” said board president Lawrence Lebowitz about Ms. Szalinski, who he described as a “consummate professional.”

Ms. Szalinski, who has worked as an assistant to five superintendents, also serves as board secretary and as the district’s right-toknow officer.

She has worked in the district for nearly 25 years and was recognized with a certificate and lapel pin.

Also Monday, the board approved a $67,302 change order to Nello Construction to install pervious brick pavers in the North Parking Lot on Lebanon Avenue.

The district originally planned to use pervious concrete on the lot, but a previous application of the concrete in another lot proved unreliable, lasting just one season.

The municipality requires at least 50 percent pervious surface on parking lots to reduce stormwater runoff.