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District reports 29 HIP reports, 10 confirmed; counselors and LEAD program cited in substance-abuse response
Summary
At the board's biannual Student Safety and Security update, a counselor reported 29 initial HIP reports for the semester with 10 confirmed; district officials described counseling supports, an SRO-run LEAD prevention program and annual staff training targeting a rise in THC-related incidents.
District staff presented the biannual Student Safety and Security Incident Report covering the first semester. A presenter identified in the meeting as Tina Alberto, the middle-school substance-abuse counselor, reported 29 initial HIP reports, 21 investigations, and 10 confirmed HIPs that met New Jersey's definition for HIP.
Alberto described prevention and intervention efforts: a student-assistance counselor (SAC) at both the middle and high schools, staff training on warning signs of adolescent substance use, classroom lessons, Red Ribbon Week activities and classroom resiliency-building. She said many reports are coming directly from students, which the presenters characterized as a positive indicator that students feel comfortable reporting concerns.
The district also highlighted a LEAD program at the middle school, facilitated by the school resource officer, described as a nationally recognized violence- and substance-use-prevention curriculum. Presenters said each school has a designated anti-bullying specialist trained annually and that the district provided a HIP-law parent workshop virtually.
During public comment, resident John Madden asked whether the district provides trauma-informed bilingual counselors across elementary schools for families facing crisis. The superintendent said every school has a bilingual trauma-informed counselor and directed residents to contact the director of mental health counseling, Dr. Jen Giordano, for follow-up.
District presenters linked a board-attorney presentation as a resource for families on the HIP process and emphasized that the district investigates all allegations and provides supports regardless of whether HIP criteria are met.
The board did not take formal action in this segment but accepted the report as an informational update. Staff said resources and program pages are available on the district website for families seeking more information.
