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Parents press Millersburg Area School Board for answers on proposed day‑treatment program
Summary
At the regular Millersburg Area School Board meeting, parents urged the board for detailed safety, site and operational information about a proposed day‑treatment/troubled‑youth program; supporters said local access would reduce lengthy out‑of‑district travel. The board said an application was filed previously and will publish an FAQ.
At its regular meeting, the Millersburg Area School Board heard three public commenters press for answers about a proposed day‑treatment ("troubled youth") program that some parents worry could pose safety risks if located on a school campus.
Warren Young, a district parent and military veteran, handed the board a packet of 43 written questions and said parents are "concerned and scared to death over this program." He asked to be added to next month’s meeting for a detailed response and said he would submit the questions to the board in advance.
Selena Garcia spoke in favor of the state program, saying family experience and long bus rides to out‑of‑district services have made local options necessary. "I am speaking in pro of the state program," she said, adding that while the program "does need some tweaks," local access would reduce 40‑ to 60‑minute bus trips families currently face.
Another parent who works in the district expressed safety concerns about placing the program on campus, noting that the proposed site has the school gym directly above it and asking whether an off‑campus location within the district had been considered. The parent said detailed plans for drills, supervision and staff safety would be needed to ease parental concerns.
The chair responded that the program was not on the meeting agenda that night but that "there was a vote to submit an application a month ago so the vote to proceed with an application is in," and thanked the three registered commenters. The chair said the board and administration would not respond substantively at the meeting but will incorporate questions into a frequently asked‑questions document to be posted on the district website and encouraged commenters to contact Dr. Garcia for additional follow‑up.
The exchange left the issue unresolved: the board has a submitted application and public concern remains high; the district plans to publish answers in an FAQ and to address questions at future meetings.
