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Board reviews contract to fill school-psychologist gaps, adds counseling partner and reintroduces English 12
Summary
Board heard that the district is short two school psychologists and will bring a vetted client-services contract for school-psychology evaluations next month; it also agreed to add Paris Counseling to expand group therapy and discussed reintroducing English 12 to the master schedule with family notification for assigned novels.
Administrators told the board the district is experiencing shortages in special-education staffing — specifically school psychologists and related providers — and proposed a client-services agreement with an outside company to provide school-psychology evaluations and meeting support.
“I have shared ... there is a shortage of special education staff, SLPs, school psychologists,” the presenter said, noting the vendor’s pricing model is transparent and comprehensive and that counsel (Mr. Young) reviewed recommended contract changes. The administration said it will return next month to request formal approval so the contracted services can begin.
On mental-health services, the board was asked to add Paris Counseling to its list of approved providers; administrators said Bowen Center will continue to provide limited coverage (now serving Needham only) and Paris will expand group skills-based therapy for students. Funds for these services are available in the district referendum account and students must be referred by counseling staff.
Finally, administrators outlined a plan to reintroduce English 12 into the master schedule after several years. The course will use SpringBoard materials and supplemental novels. The board reiterated its practice of sending families a two-week notice before the assignment of specific novels.
Why it matters: filling school-psychologist vacancies and expanding counseling partners affects compliance with special-education timelines and students’ access to evaluation and mental-health services. Reintroducing English 12 reflects a curriculum decision that affects seniors’ course options.
What’s next: administrators will return next month with the finalized school-psychology services contract for board approval and will continue deployment of Paris Counseling under the referendum-funded services model.
