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Teacher urges Ellington board to add social workers, cites 1:1,300 ratio
Summary
A classroom teacher told the board that Ellington has roughly one social worker covering three elementary schools (about 1:1,300 students) and asked the board to fund one or two full‑time social workers in the 2026–27 budget to address bullying and behavior concerns.
During the citizens and staff forum, Crystal Banville, a teacher, told the board she had knocked on doors across town and heard consistent concerns about student behavior and bullying. Banville said those problems often stem from students with unmet social‑emotional needs and argued the district needs more dedicated social‑work staff rather than relying solely on school psychologists.
She cited national and state benchmarks and local staffing ratios: the School Social Work Association of America recommends about one social worker per 250 students; Connecticut averages about one per 580 students; Banville said Ellington currently has roughly one social worker covering all three elementary schools — a ratio she estimated at about 1:1,300. Based on those numbers she asked the board to include at least one, and preferably two, full‑time school social workers in the 2026–27 budget, saying staff shortages force schools to “put out small fires” rather than deliver preventive support.
Banville recommended the board review withdrawal requests from families who left the district and track outcomes to understand the scope of the problem. Board members acknowledged the staffing gap and asked administration to include social‑work staffing in upcoming budget discussions.
