Mountain View SEG staff describe injuries, urge more trained mental‑health staff

During public comment the board heard from Chris Cavanaro, a staff member who works in the district's SEG (social‑emotional growth) program at Mountain View Elementary. Cavanaro described repeated physical incidents in the program that have led to staff injuries and said current staffing and training are insufficient to keep staff and students safe.

"It is unbelievably hard work to be involved in a physical altercation," Cavanaro said. He described 30‑minute episodes in break spaces, use of blocking pads, and incidents resulting in concussions and deep wounds that required urgent care. He said staff often must return to work to support the same students who caused the injuries, and that the district's perspective on the program (as communicated in some updates) does not fully reflect classroom realities.

Cavanaro urged the board to hire more highly trained mental‑health staff, including reinstating "skills trainer" positions, and to reexamine student–staff ratios in alternative education programs such as SEG and Bridges. "Who is going to show up, respect what we bring to the table, and work alongside us to make this program safer and more successful for everyone?" he asked.

Board members thanked him for his testimony; at the meeting no formal action was taken but the comments were part of the public record the board cited during the subsequent consolidation discussion about staffing and program preservation.

Clarifying details provided in testimony included assertions that some incidents have resulted in concussions and deep wounds, and a request for district hiring of more therapists and reinstatement of skills trainers. The board did not take immediate personnel action during public comment; staff follow‑up was discussed later in the meeting.