Staff report finds general compliance but flags substance-use plan and rising English-learner population

District administrators told the board that the North Marion School District is largely in compliance with Division 22 (state rules) for 2024–25 but identified one area requiring corrective action: the district must write and post a comprehensive substance use prevention and intervention plan.

The presenter said the district is developing the plan with principals and health teachers and expects to be in compliance by late fall; materials will be posted in English and Spanish. Staff noted the state has required new reporting and that many districts are working to meet the same recently identified requirement.

Separately, staff presented English-learner (EL) data: North Marion’s EL population and recent arrivals have increased, with about 23% currently in ELD services and roughly 41% ever-classified as EL. The district reported 11 home languages and noted that ELs are concentrated in K–5 but present across buildings. Staff warned of long-term EL challenges: students who remain in ELD services five or more years represent approximately 21% of current learners and often see proficiency declines in secondary grades. The presenter discussed efforts to identify gifted (TAG) students among ELs and the difficulty of finding assessments in students’ home languages.

What happens next: staff are drafting the substance-use plan and will work with health teachers to implement state-provided opioid-prevention lessons for specified grade levels; staff also plan further agenda time to explain diploma options and reporting.

Speakers quoted: Division 22 presenter and EL program staff. The board requested future briefings on diploma differences and TAG identification processes.

Ending: Staff will present a corrective-action plan and post Division 22 materials for public review.