Increased Number Of Substance Abuse Incidents Reported In Princeton School District

PRINCETON, NJ — Nine instances of substance abuse were reported in the Princeton Public School District over the second half of the school year, according to the Violence and Vandalism Report posted on the school district’s website. There were also 11 violent incidents, 2 incidents of vandalism, one incident involving a weapon and one incident of harassment, intimidation and/or bullying (HIB).

The nine instances of substance abuse was an increase over the same time period last year, when just one was reported, according to the Princeton Packet. Eight were reported at the high school, and one at the middle school. All instances involved alcohol and/or marijuana.

A counselor who specializes in these issues at the high school will begin spending part of her week at the middle school in an effort to prevent incidents at an earlier age, according to the report.

The report was discussed at last week’s Board of Education meeting. According to the highlights of the meeting posted on the school board’s website, 87 elementary school students are participating in the Jump Start program, 55 ESL and bilingual students are participating in the LEAP program, and many teachers are participating in summer professional development trainings being offered by the district.

Additionally, district staff has grown by 10 percent since 2014. The number of transportation drivers and transportation aides have increased as the district has brought more transportation in-house to save money and the Special Education staff has increased 30 percent. A residency audit of students in the public school district and at the charter school will take place in August.

For more highlights, visit princetonk12.org.

Patch file photo