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Special education, MTSS and family center updates: new programs, suspension declines and school‑based health center opening
Summary
Specialized learning and student services staff described new in‑district programs (Triumph), an evaluation team, reductions in suspensions and chronic absenteeism held near the state level, and the opening of a third school‑based health center at the Family Center.
Specialized learning and student‑support leaders reported program development, evaluation steps and declines in behavioral incidents during the March 11 workshop.
Veronica Lendzen and Deacon McKinnon (specialized learning administrators) described new programs meant to keep students in district, including a middle‑school “Triumph” program for a small cohort of students requiring highly individualized functional academics, life skills and community experiences. Staff said the Triumph students are receiving weekly community outings (examples cited: local swim program and grocery store visits) and that the program connects to high‑school transition options.
Administrators reported that an evaluation team was formed to address a backlog of assessments at certain entry points (NECC was named) and that the team initially improved turnaround times; staff said two members later left and the team is being reassembled.
On behavior and MTSS, the district reported reductions in suspensions and behavioral incidence rates. Staff cited a roughly 16.4% reduction in total incidence in one presentation slide and highlighted a 46% drop in incidents at West Rocks School; other figures presented included a 19% reduction among students receiving specialized services and an overall suspension reduction of about 10% the prior year, with preliminary estimates of about 12% this year and expectations approaching 15% by the end of March. Staff attributed improvements to a combination of SEL supports, data screeners (DESA), school‑level MTSS implementation, restorative practices and community partner support.
Family services: staff said the Family Center expanded workshops guided by parent surveys, ran a large back‑to‑school backpack distribution (425 families served), and opened the third school‑based health/wellness center at the Family Center on Jan. 27; the center serves students and families and operates by appointment through a community health partner.
Leaders asked trustees to note that many of these interventions are ongoing and that community partners have been critical to expanding services without the district directly operating all programs.
