The Rio Rancho Public Schools Board of Education on Monday approved a revision to Policy 10‑22 to require immediate reporting when staff know or in good faith suspect a student’s use of prohibited legal substances, illicit drugs or other mood‑altering substances.
The change, presented at the board’s second reading by Michelle Havel, the district’s executive director of student services, updates terminology and aligns the policy with the district’s drug‑free workplace verbiage and New Mexico Public Education Department expectations. “One of the notable changes … we did update the name of the policy based on the board recommendation to now reporting student use of prohibited legal substances, illicit drugs and mood altering substances,” Havel said during the meeting.
The revision replaces a prior emphasis on “timely reporting” with a requirement for immediate reporting of suspected use on campus or at school‑sponsored events. The policy also clarifies that school administrators and trained staff conduct any follow‑up investigations, and it specifies that interim supervision of the student is a priority while staff await administrative response.
Dr. Klimper, speaking during the discussion, stressed staff duty to report. “If you see something, say something,” Klimper said, adding that the obligation extends to all school employees.
Board member Jessica Tyler moved to approve the policy and Jeff Morgan seconded. The motion passed 5‑0.
The board heard during the discussion that the updates are intended to keep student safety central while allowing administrators to connect students to resources when appropriate. The board did not change the district’s stated approach that investigations are handled by trained administrators and not by general staff.