Wilmington School Committee pauses district YRBS survey and refers it to wellness committee after broad concerns

The Wilmington School Committee paused administration of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey and asked the district to send the instrument back to the district wellness committee for review after an extended public and committee discussion on April 30.

Superintendent Dr. Brand presented background on the survey, noting the district’s multi‑year participation and regional collaboration: “What I have come to learn over the last 7 years is the Wilmington Public Schools has long been committed to working collaboratively to promote and support student health and well‑being,” he said. He described the survey as a voluntary, research‑based instrument originally developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and used by multiple Middlesex League districts.

Committee members and dozens of public commenters raised objections focused on three recurring themes: the wording and level of detail in some…