Support services briefed board on fiber, cybersecurity, truancy interventions and mental-health programs

Student services, information technology and research leaders told the board July 15 about infrastructure work, attendance and behavioral interventions and mental‑health partnerships designed to support learning and safety. Maurice Payne (director of information technology, referenced by the student services presenter) and the support-services team described a partnership with the City of Decatur to install a city fiber ring that will connect nine schools first and ultimately “connect all district buildings to the city's fiber ring” to provide internal redundancy, the presentation said. IT upgrades last year included a data-center upgrade (battery backup, cooling racks and a backup generator) and moves to internet-based phone service (VoIP). The research team completed a district data warehouse and dashboard to make data more accessible to teachers and administrators. Student services work includes health services, alternative placements, truancy intervention (TAYOP) officers and care/transition rooms. Presenters said the district expanded truancy-intervention coverage by funding two additional elementary TAYOP officers this year through a grant. The district employs 16 behavior interventionists — typically one per building, two at the high school — to implement tiered interventions. On mental health, presenters summarized Cartwheel mental-health services: a three-year agreement in which the district covers the cost of an initial assessment; families who pursue therapy thereafter are responsible for co-pays and Cartwheel accepts insurance. A foundation-funded “Life Vest” program offers support for students expelled without stay to attend an alternative academy at no cost to families while they participate in assessment and treatment; staff said 13 students were still enrolled through that program at the time of the presentation. The research department said it will implement multifactor authentication for Skyward and continue professional development for secretaries and administrators to improve data entry and reporting. The presenters asked the board to continue support for fiber work, cybersecurity measures and improved fidelity of MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) interventions to reduce chronic absenteeism and disciplinary incidents. The district also said it will use E‑Rate funds for some network upgrades and work with the regional office of education on alternative placement decisions.