School board adopts resolution against gun violence, highlights student‑led WAVE prevention work

The Santa Fe Public Schools Board of Education unanimously approved Resolution 2025/2026‑7 on Oct. 23 endorsing measures to reduce gun violence in schools and supporting student‑led prevention work.

Vice President Noble introduced the resolution, which encourages safe storage of firearms, education on storage best practices, and participation in a student pledge against gun violence. The resolution also supports student‑led WAVE activities — Wellness Ambassadors to Voice and Empower — that focus on suicide prevention, mental‑health education and, in some schools, gun‑violence prevention.

Jen Jefferson of the Office of Student Wellness described WAVE as a longstanding, youth‑driven program that brings middle‑ and high‑school students together for workshops, legislative advocacy training and school‑level campaigns. Jefferson said WAVE has run a district‑level gun‑violence prevention week in prior years and plans to run the pledge again, with age‑appropriate materials and classroom packets for teachers who opt to use them.

Board members praised the student leadership aspects of WAVE and the program—s focus on mental‑health prevention and bystander reporting. The resolution passed by voice vote; there was no recorded roll‑call tally in the meeting record.

The board and staff said future work could include an augmented‑reality mural unveiling tied to mental‑health and gun‑violence prevention themes and continued emphasis on "see something, say something" reporting channels for students.