Derek Gehr, executive director of elementary school support, presented the district’s elementary systems of support on Oct. 2, describing screening, intervention and behavioral frameworks designed to identify and serve students with varying needs.

Gehr described MTSS as the district’s guiding framework, emphasizing universal screening (Acadience and other screeners administered multiple times each year), teacher PLCs to analyze data and plan interventions, and tiered intervention levels: tier 1 (core instruction for all students), tier 2 (short‑term targeted small‑group interventions) and tier 3 (intensive individualized supports that may include special education or mental‑health referrals).

He said PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) is widely implemented in elementary schools and cited check‑in/check‑out systems for students needing targeted behavioral support. Gehr listed district supports: a school support leader at each elementary, school counselors in every elementary, a student services team, special education staff, and partnerships with Bear River Mental Health for higher‑level behavioral supports.

Board members asked about transition protocols for students moving to middle school with tier 3 supports; Gehr said counselors and data transfers are used and that schools schedule transition meetings and share data and intervention plans with receiving schools.

Gehr said the tiered approach is intended to be proactive and collaborative, with PLCs creating shared responsibility for meeting student needs rather than isolating responsibility to a single teacher. No board action was requested; the presentation summarized existing systems and supports.