Board approves shift to embedded behavior technicians and adds full-time school psychologist

The Hamblen County Board of Education voted Dec. 9 to change the district's transition academy and behavior-services model so registered behavior technicians are embedded at school campuses and to add a full-time school psychologist funded by CCEIS.

Dr. Green described the shift as moving from a model that pulled some students out into a dedicated transition classroom toward placing RBTs as assigned staff at home schools. "Instead of calling the coordinator and getting an RBT to come, you will have your person at your school that's building relationships with the kids," Dr. Green said. The presentation explained RBTs would be assigned to two schools each, allowing proactive behavior programming and stronger staff relationships.

The proposal anticipates a cost change because three current team members who are RBTs are working in teacher assistant positions and would be reclassified and paid at RBT rates. Dr. Green told the board the shift will allow RBTs to "become part of that school program" and deliver proactive and small-group supports.

Board members asked practical questions about private space for behavior work and housing for assigned staff; Dr. Green said principals were working to provide confidential areas and that capacity concerns had not proved problematic in initial outreach to principals.

The board also approved adding one full-time school psychologist, presented by Mandy Lloyd, with funding identified from CCEIS funds. The motions to approve both the transition academy model change and the psychologist position were moved, seconded and approved by voice votes.

The board recorded that the approval is intended to expand on-site behavior supports and better serve students with significant behavior needs; staff will provide implementation details and assignment plans in follow-up reports.