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Ray County awards $20,000 to four school districts from opioid settlement for D.A.R.E. programs
Summary
The Commission approved awarding $20,000 each to Orrick R-XI, Hardin-Central, Lawson R-XIV and Richmond R-XVI school districts from opioid settlement funds to establish or expand D.A.R.E.; the partnership will be reviewed in December 2026.
Ray County commissioners approved using opioid settlement funds to provide $20,000 each to four local school districts for D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) programs.
At a March 4 meeting, Superintendents Chris Russo (Orrick R‑XI), Austin Purvis (Hardin‑Central), Michael Stephenson (Lawson R‑XIV) and Bryan Copple (Richmond R‑XVI) met with commissioners to discuss strengthening school-based drug awareness and prevention. Commissioner Bobby Don Davis moved to enter a partnership with the four districts and to award $20,000 to each for program support; Presiding Commissioner Sheila Tracy seconded the motion and it carried 2-0. The partnership is scheduled for review in December 2026; continuation into 2027 depends on that review.
The award letters and signed agreements were recorded in the meeting minutes. The transcript does not specify exact allowable uses within the D.A.R.E. programs or reporting requirements beyond the December 2026 review.
Commissioners framed the funding as an opportunity to use opioid settlement dollars for prevention and education in local schools. The record does not show dissenting votes on the awards.
