District adds Trauma Smart school and names new director of special services

District administrators announced leadership and program changes for special services on July 22, including the official hire of Dr. Alexis Stark as director of special services and the second-year rollout of the Trauma Smart initiative at additional schools. Administrators said Dr. Stark has already begun building relationships with school leaders and participating in meetings. The district also corrected a name in the board report: the new school participating in the Trauma Smart orientation is Alexander Donovan (not the name that appeared in the paperwork). Staff said 23 team members attended an orientation with Crittenton Trauma Smart on July 14 and that the program will support school teams’ trauma-informed practice. The district scheduled a parent information night about IEP basics at 6 p.m. on Aug. 13 at the District Administration Center. Administrators said they will continue parent information events run by the special services department. Why it matters: New leadership in special services and formal expansion of Trauma Smart to additional schools affect services for students with disabilities and those needing trauma-informed supports. What the board decided: No formal vote needed for the personnel announcement; board accepted the report and administrators will continue implementation and parent outreach.