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Dorchester 02 proposes elementary alternative program to serve up to 30 K–5 students with intensive behavior supports
Summary
District staff described a proposed K–5 alternative program at SPAN to provide structured academic and therapeutic supports for students with chronic or extreme behaviors; staff said the pilot would start with three classrooms (10 students each), an anticipated staffing model, parent engagement and a level‑based placement of up to 18 weeks.
Mrs. Barker, the district spokesperson for the elementary alternative program planning team, walked the board through a multi‑year planning effort to create a therapeutic, structured placement for kindergarten through fifth‑grade students whose behavior needs exceed what a typical elementary setting can provide.
Barker said the program’s purpose is "to provide a structured and therapeutic program for students that exhibit those significant behavior challenges across the elementary level," and emphasized that the model aims to maintain academic rigor while targeting behavior instruction so students can successfully reintegrate into their base schools. She said the proposal would repurpose SPAN as the site and initially house three cross‑grade classrooms (K–1; 2–3; 4–5), each capped at 10 students.
Staffing in the proposed budget would include one administrator, three certified teachers, three teaching assistants, one counselor/social worker, and a registered behavior technician (RBT). Barker described a level system tied to placement duration and supports: Level 1 placements would be roughly three to five weeks, higher levels would range up to seven weeks, and the maximum placement would be 18 weeks before reassessment. Barker said the program could accommodate up to 30 students at a time and that the team expects an initial waiting list as implementation begins.
Board members asked whether parental participation would be required; Barker said intake meetings would define family engagement expectations and that the district intends to partner with outside providers so families can receive in‑home supports when needed. "Parents are just so eager for help at that point that a lot of times they will willingly accept the support," Barker said, adding that transportation and a regular elementary schedule are planned to reduce barriers.
Mr. Doherty and board members discussed funding and staffing flexibility: Barker said the three‑teacher allocation is based on proposed funding but that staff could be flexible with grade distribution without immediate additional hiring. The superintendent noted the district has reallocated funds and hopes to bring more specifics back in April and, if approved, move to implementation planning.
Next steps: staff will refine specifics, bring cost and staffing details back to the board (anticipated in April), and seek board approval before hiring or launching the program.
