WINDSOR – Put ’em out when you get on school property.

Cigarettes, that is, as the Bertie Board of Education’s updated no-tobacco policy applies to students, staff, parents and members of the public alike.

The new rule is no smoking or tobacco use on any board of education property at any time, including after-school events.

Last month, board member Alton Parker brought up the fact that the no smoking policy was not being enforced, particularly at Bertie High School.

As a result of that, board attorney Carolyn Waller apparently researched this issue and found that a new state mandate requires all school systems to pass a tougher no tobacco policy by August of this year.

In the revised policy, principals and supervisors are responsible for making sure that school system employees abide by the new rules, and failure to do so is grounds for disciplinary action, including job termination.

Anyone caught using tobacco products on any school property may be asked to leave the grounds.

Waller did remind the board, &uot;You have no hold on visitors other than asking them to leave; it’s not a criminal matter and there is no law enforcement involved.&uot;

However, the school resource officer can require anyone violating the policy to either cease and desist or vacate the premises.

Parker made a motion to adopt the revised policy and the measure passed without objection.