Superior High PledgeMakers ask board to restore random drug testing and increase budget after anti-vaping work

Student leaders from PledgeMakers and a regional public-health partner told the Superior School District board on Monday that the student-run prevention group has helped push local policy changes and needs modest district support to sustain programming.

At the meeting, Alton Morsey, identified as president of PledgeMakers, outlined the group’s student-led events and outreach and said the organization now counts about 600 signed members who pledge to remain drug- and alcohol-free during high school. Charmaine Swan, who identified herself as a coordinator with the American Lung Association and the Northwest Wisconsin Lung Health Alliance, described a yearlong partnership with the students to expand prevention messaging and policy work.

The students highlighted several concrete accomplishments: presenting in middle- and high-school classes, hosting community prevention events and participating in a city ordinance limiting the number and signage of vape shops inside Superior city limits. Morsey and Swan said the city ordinance — enacted last summer — restricts new vape-shop licenses relative to population and limits signage for existing shops.

Students also reported retail assessments they conducted at about 20 licensed tobacco retailers with alliance support. The students said they observed inconsistent signage, retailers offering alcohol to minors despite identifying themselves as high schoolers, and other compliance gaps. The student presenters summarized results from a youth voice survey: 62 percent of respondents said a family member’s vaping affected them, 42 percent said close friends vape and 21 percent reported bathroom crowding or vaping incidents.

PledgeMakers asked the board to: (1) consider reinstating random and suspicion-based drug testing language the district’s handbook still references in Policy 05/2001, and (2) restore the club’s budget by $3,000 (the group said its budget was cut from $10,000 to $4,000). Students said the increased funding would expand prevention events and allow programming to reach younger grades.

Board members and administrators suggested follow-up steps: meet with high school administration and activities staff to review how previous testing programs were run and explore funding alternatives including grants and external donations. Superintendent and staff recommended that students first meet with the high school principal and activities director to discuss operational details and potential next steps.

The board did not take a formal vote on drug testing or the budget request; students were directed to meet with administrators and pursue grants and partner support.

The presentation included remarks from multiple student leaders and from Charmaine Swan; the board thanked the students for their work and encouraged follow-up discussions with district staff.