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Students urge board to address mental health supports, late-pass policy and drinking-fountain access
Summary
Two student board members told the Mahopac Central School District Board that mental health supports matter to learning; one urged reconsidering a first-period late-pass policy and another raised concerns about school water fountains and filtration.
Two student board members used the Mahopac Central School District Board of Education's Oct. 14 public meeting to press the board on student mental health, attendance practices and water access.
"Mental health and learning are completely connected," student board member Matt Canelos said, arguing that when students struggle emotionally they cannot engage fully in class. Canelos praised inclusion efforts and cited Unified Sports as an example of programs that help students feel they belong.
Sarah Dutt, a junior, told the board she had been denied a late pass to first period after arriving roughly 15 minutes late, and said that policy can lead students to skip first period rather than attend without a pass. "This post has a huge issue with teachers who take off participation points," she said, asking the board to "revisit this practice." Dutt also reported student concern about school water fountains, saying students feared the water contained high sodium content and requested that the district consider filtration upgrades so students have trusted free water access.
Board members acknowledged the students' feedback. The record at the meeting notes the special education audit and committee work elsewhere on the agenda, and the board moved on to routine votes and committee appointments after the student remarks. The students' requests were recorded as issues for follow-up rather than formal board directives at the meeting.
