Pottsgrove board approves outside reviews after Ringing Rocks safety and behavior presentations

The Pottsgrove School District board voted Tuesday to hire two outside reviewers to assess special-education services and school safety after presentations by district staff and school-safety specialists and public comments from parents and teachers concerned about disruptive student behavior at Ringing Rocks Elementary School.

District officials presented data showing most students at Ringing Rocks have no discipline referrals, while a small group accounts for repeated, serious disruptions that school leaders said require intensive supports. The board approved contracts with Global Special Education Associates (GSEA) and with the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit (MCIU) to conduct overlapping, independent reviews intended to identify immediate and longer-term changes.

The reviews follow a report by two Montgomery County school-safety specialists who observed classrooms, lunches and recess at Ringing Rocks and recommended clarifying expectations, strengthening building command structure and reviewing supervision during unstructured times. Carly Duko, a county school safety specialist, told the board the county’s involvement was voluntary at the district’s request and that the county had done two full-day observations.

Why it matters: Parents, teachers and district leaders said they are seeing serious behavioral incidents that affect classroom instruction and safety. Administrators presented steps already in place — staff training, sensory rooms, behavioral plans, additional staff hires and restorative/reflection spaces — and the board said the outside reviews will add independent recommendations and help guide staffing and program decisions.

District presentation and current measures District Director of Pupil Services Dr. Emery Lucas and Ringing Rocks Principal Stephanie Myers described interventions the district has introduced this school year. Lucas said the district has seen an increase in students eligible for special education over the past four years and that Ringing Rocks currently has “a small number of students, 14,” with significant behavioral needs. He described the district’s multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS), positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS) and a continuum of services, from full general-education inclusion to out-of-district placements.

Lucas said the district trains staff in Safety Care — a nationally used, trauma-informed de-escalation and restraint…