Superintendent Robinson outlines steps to strengthen student mental-health supports after student death

Superintendent Dr. Robinson opened his report by acknowledging the district's recent loss of a student, Sage, and telling families the district will continue to strengthen supports for students. He said the district has "built a multilayered system of supports" that includes prevention, early identification, school-based counseling, referrals to community providers, and partnerships with local health organizations.

"The loss of a student should never be reduced to a program, a policy, or a statistic," Dr. Robinson said, adding the district must ask whether students know where to go for help and whether families have the information they need. He said the district uses a universal screener (MiSaber), Gaggle monitoring for potential concerns, and peer-led programs such as Hope Squad and Hope Week to increase awareness and early intervention. The superintendent also listed planned follow-ups: a student-and-family survey on awareness and accessibility of supports, school-by-school reviews of counseling and social-work capacity, a review of suicide-prevention and postvention protocols, and a districtwide mental-health resource guide that will be coordinated by Teresa Marotek.

Board members who spoke during the following discussion praised the district's existing programs and urged continued outreach and clarity so families and students know how to access services. Dr. Robinson said the district cannot promise to prevent every tragedy, "but we can promise we will never stop working to build a culture where students know they matter, that someone is listening, and that help is available."