District presents SHARP survey results; staff say youth substance use and mental‑health indicators are below state averages

Canyons School District's director of student wellness presented results from the SHARP (Student Health and Risk Prevention) survey at the Feb. 18 board meeting, including participation rates, trend data and examples of how principals and student leaders are using the results to shape school programs.

Dr. Brian McGill, director of student wellness services, told the board SHARP is a long‑running, voluntary, confidential prevention needs assessment administered to sixth, eighth, 10th and 12th graders every other year. He said the district chose to administer the survey after adding a parent opt‑in/opt‑out toggle to online registration to meet legislative requirements.

McGill said participation rebounded from a lower post‑pandemic number and that the survey lets the district compare trends with the state and other districts. He said the data show lower‑than‑state‑average levels of substance use and lower reported rates of depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation, and that engagement and feelings of inclusion at school were higher than the state average.

The presentation included examples of local use: high school leadership teams reviewed SHARP summaries to identify strengths and opportunities and produced culture‑action plans; principals use results to design parent nights and to align school TSSP (school improvement) plans; and the district uses SHARP results to qualify for competitive grants.

McGill described services and intervention programs tied to survey findings, including the Canyons Family Center (parent classes, family counseling), Thrive Times and advisory lessons, mental‑health screening nights and PBIS and leadership initiatives. He also said the district relies on SHARP evidence when applying for grants tied to at‑risk funding; McGill noted one at‑risk grant he referenced funds roughly $5.3 million and supports dozens of staff positions that deliver counseling and related services.

Board members asked about safeguards, the effect of question wording on students and whether a narrower risk assessment could be used for flagged students. McGill said the survey is one piece of a broader information system, that threat assessments (CSTAG) are used for individual concerns and that the district's dashboard and administrative data provide complementary measures for grant applications.

McGill said survey materials and question samples are posted for parents; he and communications staff said they will improve links in online registration so parents can readily view the full SHARP questionnaire before giving permission.

Next steps: staff will finalize make‑up survey dates at the three remaining middle schools, publish a brief parent guide and make the SHARP analysis available to principals and the board for use in school improvement planning.