RIO RANCHO, N.M. — Rio Rancho Public Schools leaders are expanding upon a state law to ensure the district is more proactive about substance abuse and students.
New Mexico state law requires school staff to report a student if they suspect, in “good faith”, they’re under the influence of alcohol or drugs – but the RRPS board took that policy a step further Monday. In a 5-0 vote, they approved an expansion of the district’s current reporting policy to go beyond the basics.
“Instead of just ‘use of alcohol and drugs’, it now encompasses prohibited use of legal substances. So things that may not necessarily be illegal, but things that are illegal on school campuses,” said Shelley Havill, executive director of student services at RRPS…