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Southmoreland approves new emotional support program and two positions for grades 2–8
Summary
The board voted to create an in-district emotional support program and approved two new professional positions — an emotional support teacher and a behavior therapist — to staff grades 2–8 at Southmoreland Elementary School (SES). Trustees amended the motion to explicitly create the program before approving the hires.
The Southmoreland School District board approved creation of an in-district emotional support program for students in grades 2 through 8 and authorized two new professional positions to staff it: a special education teacher for an emotional support classroom and a behavior therapist.
Board members amended the original personnel motion on the floor to make the creation of the emotional support program explicit before voting on the new positions. After the amendment was seconded, the board voted in favor. Administrators said the program will be housed at Southmoreland Elementary School (SES), “at the end of the SES hallway,” and that the program would be intended to reduce the number of students placed out of district for emotional-support services.
Superintendent and administration representatives explained the proposal at the meeting and noted the district’s estimate that bringing emotional-support services in-house could reduce certain outplacement transportation and tuition costs; administration estimated a projected savings of about $117,000 if the program operates as planned.
Board members discussed whether the district typically created new “program” entries for similar services in the past and noted previous additions such as life-skills programming. Solicitor advice (on compliance with Act 65, as cited by administration) was offered during the motion’s amendment and approval.
The board approved the personnel log and the amended motion to create the emotional support program and associated positions in a single vote during the personnel section of the agenda.
