Arrow co-op report: capacity strain, kitchen damage insurance claim and pending lawsuit discussed

David Shepherd, a Board of Education member, summarized the June/July meeting of Arrow (the cooperative that provides services and transportation for participating students). Shepherd said Arrow reported staffing was improving but that the program has reached capacity and is starting to turn away students. "They are completely out of room," Shepherd said, and asked board members to notify the co-op if they know of any available classroom space. Shepherd also described a prior plumbing incident at Arrow’s kitchen in which chemicals poured down a drain caused damage to new equipment and flooring; he said the insurance company has accepted the claim, a general contractor has been approved and the co-op plans to overlay the damaged floor with a poured finish so the kitchen can reopen before the new school year. Shepherd reported that a lawsuit has been filed by a parent in relation to a past transportation incident that allegedly involved inappropriate contact between students. Shepherd said Arrow is working with counsel and described the matter as active litigation; he added the co-op is attempting to resolve the claim as a nuisance settlement but could not guarantee the outcome. Shepherd also reported that a parent named Kelly provided a public comment at that Arrow meeting expressing dissatisfaction with services for her son, and Arrow leadership said they are attempting to address the family’s concerns. The board received the report; no board action was taken on Arrow matters at the July 16 meeting.