Board holds first readings of student wellness and mental‑health policies; committee will revise language

The Tempe Union Governing Board reviewed first readings of two policy updates — Policy JL (Student Wellness) and Policy JLDAA (Student Mental Health/Social Emotional Wellness) — and asked staff to return the drafts to the district’s student wellness committee for more discussion.

Board members and staff discussed proposed language changes in the cultural proficiency and health promotion sections. Member Gutierrez Miller asked whether language about cultural proficiency should be explicitly extended to clubs and sports or retained as "school‑sponsored meetings and events." Several board members expressed a preference for keeping explicit references to mental health in the health promotion and health services sections; Member Peraza said she would prefer that references to mental health not be removed since they were intentionally added during the 2021 revisions.

Superintendent Dr. Wilson said the items are a first read and will be returned to the student wellness committee for additional discussion; she noted the next regular meeting where the items will be reconsidered. Board members also discussed staff professional development requirements for suicide prevention training. Staff said the district currently exceeds the state Mitch Warnock Act requirement (suicide prevention training every three years) by providing annual training and is working with partners including Not My Kid and Teen Lifeline to broaden professional development offerings.

No policy changes were adopted at the meeting; the items will return to the committee and to the board’s next regular meeting for further consideration.