Gresham-Barlow board reviews drug, alcohol and tobacco prevention policy updates

The Gresham-Barlow School District Board of Directors on Oct. 16 reviewed proposed updates to Policy IGAEB (Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Prevention), aimed at aligning district practice with Oregon Division 22 standards and increasing supports to keep students in school. Ms. Gay, a district staff member presenting the item, said the updated guidance and discipline matrix are designed to "ensure they are meeting Division 22 standards" and to give administrators structured options that prioritize intervention over exclusion.

The presentation covered the district's adopted health curriculum, a new discipline flowchart and an emphasis on earlier intervention and family engagement. Ms. Gay said the matrix helps administrators “look at the full picture of what is going on with students while they work to get them in drug and alcohol education classes,” and added that "they work really hard to give kids a chance to repair harm." Board members pressed for ways to measure success; Ms. Gay said metrics will focus on school-based outcomes (for example, stopping use on campus) and that staff are exploring how to track trends such as suspensions and expulsions over time.

The board identified two immediate follow-ups: additional review by the policy committee to resolve outdated or contradictory language (Policy IGAEB was last updated in 2016) and staff-provided trend data and the staff guidance document (flowchart) that summarizes procedures. No formal action was taken on the policy at the work session; the item will return for further policy committee review.