School District receives grant for recovery high school program to address substance abuse

Disruptive behavior in middle schools emerged as a critical concern during the Curriculum & Instruction Committee Meeting held on April 1, 2025, in Wisconsin. Committee members highlighted that a staggering 54% of behavior referrals originated from sixth-grade students, raising alarms about the challenges faced in managing classroom environments at this level.

The discussion revealed a pressing need for targeted interventions, particularly for boys, who were identified as requiring additional support. Committee members acknowledged the importance of social-emotional learning initiatives, which have shown promise in reducing behavioral issues in elementary grades. They emphasized the necessity of continuing to refine multi-level systems of support to enhance both academic and behavioral outcomes.

In a significant development, the committee announced the acquisition of a recovery high school grant aimed at expanding programming for students facing challenges such as credit recovery and substance abuse issues. This grant is expected to provide essential resources for creating a safe and drug-free learning environment, particularly at the high school level, where drug-related incidents have been prevalent.

The committee plans to present a detailed implementation strategy for the grant at the upcoming May meeting, outlining timelines and operational funding for the next three years. This proactive approach aims to address the underlying issues contributing to disruptive behavior and ensure a supportive educational atmosphere for all students.