Whitman-Hanson School Committee Approves Student Substance Use Survey

New questions on nicotine pouches and mental health added to annual assessment

HANSON, MA - November 13 - The Whitman-Hanson Regional School Committee has approved a student survey on substance use, which will include new questions on nicotine pouches and mental health. The survey, conducted by Whitman-Hanson Will, aims to gather data to inform prevention efforts in the district.

Hillary Dubois Farquharson, chief of communication and prevention for High Point, and Gabby Sullivan, grants manager, presented the proposed changes to the committee at its Nov. 13 meeting.

The survey will be administered to students in grades 6-8 and 11-12. It is expected to reach approximately 1,300 students, with a typical participation rate of 75% to 80%.

"Surveying is really helpful because we're asking the young people what their own personal experience is, what they see, and then we bring that data back to you," Farquharson said. "We're able to personalize and target our efforts to best benefit the children at this local level."

The committee approved adding three new questions to the middle school survey and four to the high school survey. These additions include a question about nicotine pouch use and two questions related to mental health.

"Vaping has gone down this year remarkably," Superintendent Jeffrey Szymaniak noted. He attributed this decrease in part to the installation of vape detectors, a decision informed by previous survey results.

The new question on nicotine pouches addresses an emerging trend among students. Farquharson explained, "It's very discreet. And it's not something that we previously collect the data on."

Mental health questions will ask students about their stress levels and coping abilities. Sullivan emphasized the importance of these additions, stating, "We talk a lot about those things when we talk about mental health and substance use, why people use."

The survey is optional for students, with parents able to opt their children out. Students can also choose not to participate on the day of the survey without consequences.

Results from the survey will be used to inform prevention efforts across the district and in the broader community. The data can be analyzed by individual schools, allowing for targeted interventions.

In other business, the committee received an update on the implementation of a new Individualized Education Program (IEP) form in the district.

Christine Godino, Special Education Director, explained that the new form is designed to enhance collaboration between students, teachers, and families. It aims to provide better clarity, consistency, and support for students with disabilities.

"The revised form will facilitate smoother transition between grade levels, and it's particularly designed to help students with disabilities transition to post-high school life," Godino said.

The district has provided training on the new IEP form to staff through consultant Kelly Mertens and ongoing professional development sessions. Special education teacher leaders from each school meet monthly with Godino to ensure alignment across the district.

Committee members expressed concern about the additional time required to complete the new forms. Godino acknowledged the initial increase in workload but assured the committee that staff are working to streamline the process.

"The more you do it, the less time it takes. The more familiar we are with it," she said.

Godino also provided an overview of the district's special education programs, which serve students from ages 3 to 22. These include integrated preschool, substantially separate programs for students with autism and intellectual impairments, and transition programs for students aged 18 to 22.

Additionally, Lisa Green, Hanson's Town Administrator, has been approved as a voting member for negotiations with four union units representing teachers and staff. This municipal representative is authorized by state regulation, 603 CMR 41.04: Municipal Representatives in Regional School District Collective Bargaining.

The motion passed with one abstention and member Rosemary Hill voting against. Hill questioned the necessity of this practice, stating, "This isn't required. This is a request from the towns to be part of a negotiating practice within the school. It's like taking a step back from school autonomy. The towns are getting involved in how we pay our teachers."

The meeting concluded with the committee voting to enter executive session to discuss nonunion negotiations and collective bargaining. The committee did not return to open session.