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Board approves CHP “Every 15 Minutes” two‑day high‑school safety program
Summary
The board approved a two‑day California Highway Patrol (CHP) program aimed at juniors and seniors to illustrate the risks of impaired and distracted driving; the program includes an on‑campus simulation, a two‑day retreat with speakers and a community culminating event and is partly reimbursable through a CHP grant.
The Palm Aero Space Academy board approved a two‑day California Highway Patrol program commonly known as “Every 15 Minutes,” a safety and prevention program for upper‑class students focused on impaired and distracted driving.
Dr. Sullivan, the high‑school principal, described a multi‑part program the district has staged previously: students are selected (juniors and seniors) for staged simulations that include obituaries read in class, a mock crash site and interviews with law‑enforcement and criminal‑justice professionals. The in‑program sessions include experiential demonstrations (goggles that simulate impairment), presentations from the district attorney’s office and other guests, and an overnight sequester/retreat for participants where they hear first‑hand accounts from people affected by vehicle fatalities.
The program culminates in a community event that previously included a local mortuary providing a donated casket and a short video production assembled from the in‑school simulations. Dr. Sullivan said the CHP offers a reimbursement grant that covers certain items, though not all expenses (for example, overnight lodging was not covered in prior reimbursement). The district previously arranged local partners for staging and production; the presentation requested board approval to plan the next iteration of the program.
Board action A motion to approve the CHP Every 15 Minutes program was made, seconded and approved by the board. Staff will apply for CHP reimbursement grants and begin detailed planning for the multi‑day event, which staff indicated they typically stage in the spring semester.
