School Board Votes to Update Opioid Antagonist Policy After Legislative Changes

The Winona Area Public School District Board convened on August 21, 2025, to discuss several key agenda items, including policy updates and the superintendent's evaluation report.

The meeting began with a review of a proposed policy regarding the administration of opioid antagonists in schools. The Board Operations Committee recommended adding language to the policy, which is optional under Minnesota legislation enacted in 2025. The committee sought feedback from the district nurse and confirmed that administering an opioid antagonist, such as a nasal spray, poses no ill effects if not needed. This policy will undergo further review before a final vote in two weeks.

Next, the board addressed Policy 512, which had been previously updated in August 2024 following legislative changes. A clarification was provided regarding the removal of a specific paragraph that had not been accurately captured in the model policy. The board unanimously approved the updated policy after a brief discussion.

The superintendent's evaluation report was also presented, highlighting a positive relationship between the board and Superintendent Brzezinski. The evaluation will be included in the upcoming human resources report, and the board expressed optimism for the upcoming year and goal-setting.

Lastly, the board revisited the DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) committee bylaws, which had been discussed in a prior meeting. Superintendent Brzezinski noted that most changes were minor and reflected in the document shared with the board.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to further discussions on the DEI bylaws and the opioid antagonist policy in the coming weeks, ensuring that all board members have the opportunity to provide input before final decisions are made.