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Staff describe threats and injuries in alternative programs; call for more mental‑health professionals
Summary
A staff member told the Corvallis board that alternative education staff face physical risks, including injuries and threats while de‑escalating students, and urged immediate hiring of additional highly trained mental‑health professionals and review of student‑to‑staff ratios.
During public comment Chris Cavagnaro, a district staff member, described significant safety and staffing concerns in alternative education programs and urged the district to hire more therapists and skills trainers. "He detailed the high physical and emotional risks SEG staff face, including sustaining serious injuries and receiving threats while de-escalating students," the minutes state.
Board members acknowledged the safety concerns as part of the consolidation and staffing discussion and directed staff to include program‑level staffing and safety implications in any updated consolidation proposal. The request asks staff to evaluate options to improve student‑to‑staff ratios and prioritize hiring trained mental‑health professionals in the district's planning.
