Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Safety Mental Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Allentown superintendent details recent safety threats, expands mental-health and counseling supports
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Birx told the school board that recent safety incidents and threats have disrupted instruction and announced expanded school-based counseling and partnerships, while reporting attendance figures and noting a $7,500 grant for Muhlenberg Elementary.
Dr. Birx, superintendent of the Allentown School District, told the board on Sept. 18 that the district has experienced several safety incidents this week and is treating threats against schools “very seriously.” She said district staff are working with law enforcement and school leaders to investigate each incident and to reduce disruption to instruction.
The superintendent said the district is expanding school-based counseling and online mental-health resources, naming Hazel Health among partners, and emphasized a shift toward prevention, early intervention and resilience-building. "Our goal is to go beyond responding to crisis and focus on prevention, early intervention, and building resilience in our students and staff," Dr. Birx said.
The superintendent gave enrollment and staffing context: the district serves about 16,700 students and nearly 3,000 staff members. She reported the districtwide average daily attendance is about 89% with 13 schools maintaining 90% or higher and four schools at 94% average daily attendance. "Our goal is 100%," she said.
Dr. Birx also acknowledged personnel and privacy limits around an ongoing personnel matter at Harrison Morton Middle School and asked the community to avoid speculation. "This is a personnel matter. Please know that we are unable to share additional details beyond the facts that have already been stated in my previous communications," she said.
Separately, Dr. Birx recognized Muhlenberg Elementary for receiving a $7,500 grant from the Highmark Foundation to buy and ship 14 high-quality classroom air purifiers for the school’s planned air-quality project.
The superintendent closed by tying the district’s safety and wellbeing work to its strategic plan, describing mental-health support as a district priority and thanking school leaders and staff for their efforts.
Ending: The district said it is partnering with local and national organizations to expand supports and will continue to coordinate with law enforcement on any safety investigations.
