Board hears proposal to partner with Effective School Solutions for in-school therapeutic services at Massac High School

The Monroe School Board heard a proposal to partner with Effective School Solutions to provide in-school therapeutic services at Massac High School, a presentation board members said is intended to reduce out-of-district placements for students with intensive mental-health needs.

Mike Roseman, director of district partnerships for Effective School Solutions, described the vendor’s model as intensive, on-site clinical care integrated into the school day, including group and individual therapy, family therapy, structured lunch periods, and urgent interventions designed to de-escalate and return students to class. Roseman cited a Mental Health America state ranking and prevalence statistics, saying Connecticut ranked 21st in access and that roughly 20% of students experienced a major depressive episode last year, with 12–13% reporting suicidal ideation. He said ESS’s aggregate data from 2024–25 showed about 97% of students the vendor served did not need to be placed out of district.

Jen, introduced by a board member and who delivered the district’s special‑education update, told trustees the district ended the school year with a raw count of 735 students (to be adjusted after seniors are removed to 698). Jen said the district had 13 students newly eligible for services this past year and 41 total dismissals from services during the year. On finances, she said special education was roughly a little over $300,000 over budget for the year but that the district received about $1,350,000 in excess-cost funding compared with a budgeted $997,000, which helped offset the overrun.

During questions, Roseman said ESS produces quarterly report cards for each partner district and can include cost metrics such as transportation reductions. He offered an illustrative figure of about $100,000 per student (including transportation) for out-of-district tuition and noted that bringing five returning students back into district schooling could represent roughly $500,000 in avoided costs. The board asked about language access; Roseman said ESS uses a language line and hires bilingual clinicians where needed.

Board members and staff discussed logistics: the program discussed would start at the high-school level, initially create two cohorts (24 total seats), and could enroll roughly 10–12 students at the start of the year based on current caseloads. The plan calls for two clinicians hired by ESS to work alongside district staff, using converted space in the high-school guidance suite for private and group work.

Because the board did not have a quorum, members did not vote on the proposal. Trustees and staff said they will continue to review data, cost analyses and program details before any formal agreement or vote.

The presentation, follow-up questions and the district’s finance update all occurred during this session; the board scheduled no formal vote on the proposal during the transcripted meeting.