Superintendent Leonard showed a preview of an anti-drug video produced in partnership with Hope Above Fear and recommended the district show the full video to middle- and high-school students as part of Red Ribbon Month messaging.

Leonard said the video is intended to show how a single use can have fatal outcomes and described a recent local incident in which two students had medical reactions after vaping; he said the video had generated strong reactions when previewed in another district and cautioned administrators to allow staff to prepare students before viewing.

The video excerpts presented included personal testimonials describing loss from fentanyl poisoning and urged students to seek help and support one another. Leonard said the partnership and an MOU with Hope Above Fear would support student-facing prevention messaging.

Board members and staff also described a district diversion initiative for first offenses that would create alternatives to multi-day suspensions — for example, interventions and supports intended to help students correct behavior rather than immediately removing them from school. District staff said the diversion program was under development and would be part of broader prevention and response strategies.

No formal action was taken at the workshop; staff said they will continue to work on materials and procedures for prevention, communications and diversion.