Director of Special Education Dr. Linda Pekarik provided a presentation to the East Penn School District board members Jan. 9 regarding behavioral support services within the district.

Pekarik said a subcommittee was formed one year ago due to the volume of behaviors and crisis interventions, consisting of the following members: Todd Breiner, assistant principal Emmaus High School; Lynn Brinckman, principal, Shoemaker Elementary School; Daniel Fox, guidance counselor, Wescosville Elementary School; Kristen Grim, guidance counselor, Emmaus High School; Michael Kelly, principal, Eyer Middle School; Thomas Mirabella, director of student services; Pekarik; Peter Slay, school psychologist, Eyer Middle School and Lower Macungie Middle School and Sharawn Valentine, school psychologist, Shoemaker Elementary School and Macungie Elementary School.

Currently, the district employs 21 school counselors, nine certified school nurses and seven school psychologists.

Services are provided via three support levels – Tier 1, schoolwide behavioral health expectations for all students; Tier 2, additional interventions (targeted interventions for small groups with specifically identified needs) and Tier 3, intensive interventions (individualized interventions).

Pekarik identified areas of concern within the district, including self harm, anger, depression, anxiety, grief/loss, child abuse/neglect, sexual abuse, suicidal ideation and gender identification.

In the crisis log August 2015 through June 2016, the highest number of students were seen for suicidal ideation, followed by self harm, threat to others, depression and anger.

In contrast, the crisis log August 2016 through December 2016 showed the highest number of students were seen for depression, followed by suicidal ideation, threat to others, self harm and anger.

In the 2015-2016 school year, mental health placement costs totaled $167,223. The costs so far for the 2016-2017 school year as of Dec. 31, 2016 have totaled $125,585.

The subcommittee has decided the district does not have the resources available to serve the students.

The subcommittee recommended to the board to continue to utilize Valley Youth House for education programs - free to the district, Caron Treatment Centers - free to the district and Center for Humanistic Change - free to the district.

The subcommittee also recommended utilizing the services of Communities in Schools at a cost of $246,838 per year to the district.

The cost would include a site coordinator and case manager at Emmaus High School and a site coordinator at Eyer Middle School.

Pekarik said CIS currently services 26 school sites including Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, Whitehall-Coplay and Reading school districts.

“The district needs to address the challenges associated with the increase in mental health issues,” Pekarik said.

Should CIS be chosen, the district would contract with CIS. Their staff would be onsite, they would make referrals, arrange for transportation and assist with insurance issues.

Superintendent Dr. Michael Schilder said at a recent superintendents meeting, all districts are seeing similar situations.

All school directors commended the committee on a thorough presentation.

Director Charles Ballard said his job is to represent the public who will more than likely ask, “Why are schools the vehicle for social interventions? When did schools become responsible for mental health issues?”

Ballard also said the cost to contract CIS is equivalent to three teachers. “What do you recommend I tell taxpayers as the rationale?”

“We are using taxpayer money for referrals,” Pekarik said. “We are obligated to provide a safe environment for students.”

Pekarik said if contracting, the district would not be paying benefits and hopefully the need will diminish.

Director Alan Earnshaw said there is still a stigma in our society and some parents don’t want to acknowledge the problems. “Schools have to deal with the issues,” Earnshaw said.

Director Rev. Waldemar Vinovskis said, “One disruptive student can disrupt an entire classroom. It takes time away from teaching and creates additional work for the teachers.”

“These are very, very serious issues,” Schilder said. “Students cannot be educated because of the severity of the issues.”

“The problem is in our society not just East Penn,” Earnshaw said “We are making an impact and saving lives.”

After much discussion, board members decided if the superintendent agrees CIS is necessary, they will ask CIS to make a presentation to the board at a future meeting.