Board asked to fund outside behavioral‑health and climate assessment; administration plans to use grant funds

School safety leaders recommended that the board approve a behavioral‑health and climate assessment performed by the Center for Safe Schools, part of the Center for Schools and Communities (a Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit affiliate). The proposed scope includes one evaluator day per building (six days total), review of policies and practices, staff interviews/observations and a comprehensive report. Administration said the soonest evaluator availability was penciled in for the week of Oct. 7–14 and that the written report would be available roughly 60 days after on‑site visits.

Cost for the service was presented at a little over $21,000. Administration said it will apply recently available grant funds to cover the expense and that no outlay of district operating funds is expected if the grant application is approved. The team said they would be explicit to parents about the scope of on‑site observations and would secure permissions if direct student interactions were required; the current plan emphasizes observational work and staff interviews.

Board members supported the idea of an outside assessment as a complement to existing climate surveys but asked questions about whether a one‑day visit per building is sufficiently generalizable and requested clarity on parent notification and the nature of interactions with students. Administration said the assessment would be one data point among several used to guide programming and that the district will triangulate findings with surveys and tabletop results.

If approved, the district will schedule visits in October, receive the report by December and then use district safety committees and the board to consider recommendations in calendar year 2025.

Sources: Safe Schools presentation and board Q&A at the Aug. 12, 2024 work session.