Board to pursue talks with AltaPoint on proposed day‑treatment school for students with acute mental‑health needs

Principals and administrators from across Baldwin County urged the Baldwin County Board of Education on Tuesday to pursue a dedicated day‑treatment school for students with severe mental‑health and trauma‑related behaviors, and the board voted to continue discussions and research with AltaPoint.

Several school leaders described students who regularly miss large amounts of class or present violent or self‑harm behaviors, and said classroom teachers are not licensed to provide the level of mental‑health care those children need. "Teachers are trained in academics and hold a license to teach," said Katie White, principal of Foley Middle School. "We do our best to support students but we are not licensed to provide ..." (public comment). Brooke Waters, principal of Foley Elementary, said the facility "will not be a silver bullet" but called it "an answer to one of the most urgent problems in our schools." Dana Bottoms, an administrator with longtime experience in Baldwin County schools, told the board that "spaces for Wings currently for elementary students is just 10 students," and urged action.

The nut graff: speakers told the board that trauma‑driven behaviors are disrupting classrooms and instruction systemwide and that existing programs such as Wings, ACE and SOAR reach only a small number of students. Several principals said the proposed AltaPoint day‑treatment option would provide licensed clinical care and reduce classroom disruptions for other students and staff.

During the public‑comment period seven school leaders and administrators spoke in favor of expanding therapeutic options, citing examples including students who had missed 10 or more days for suicidal ideation, students who missed 21 days for mental‑health concerns, and instances of violent outbursts that required clearing classrooms. "Trauma begets trauma," said Brooke Waters.

Board action: Agenda item 14 (AltaPoint day‑treatment program) was added to the amended agenda earlier in the meeting. Superintendent Mr. Tyler presented the recommendation and Andrew moved to "approve continuing discussions and research in collaboration with AltaPoint for a day school," a motion seconded by April. The board voted unanimously in favor.

Discussion vs. decision: The board’s vote authorized continued conversations and research with AltaPoint; it did not approve funding, site selection, or program implementation. Board members and speakers repeatedly noted parental consent and program cost as key conditions and constraints. Several speakers emphasized that participation should be voluntary and based on parental consent.

Clarifying details from public comment included that current Wings capacity for elementary students is "just 10 students," that some students are missing many school days because of mental‑health crises, and that existing specialized programs (Wings, ACE, SOAR) are not the same as the proposed countywide day‑treatment model and reach fewer students. Speakers identified both general‑education and special‑education students as potential beneficiaries.

The board did not set a timeline for next steps; the motion directs staff to continue collaborative work with AltaPoint and return with research or recommendations. The transcript does not specify a budget, a proposed site, or a date for a follow‑up report.

Ending: Board members thanked commenters and approved the motion to continue collaboration with AltaPoint. No formal program adoption, site approval or funding vote occurred; those items would require future action by the board.