RIH BOE Reverses Course, Approves Mental Health Programs After Emotional Pleas from Families and Students

Good news - the RIH BOE reversed the decisions of last week and voted to pass all three agenda items for mental health services (Reinstate Sage/THRIVE program for students, Provide school based mental-wellness training, coaching and certification to district staff, Provide access to Care Solace website for access to mental health treatment providers for school district staff, students and parents).

A packed room, 90 minutes of emotional public comment from parents, students, and members of the community. The end result was the resolutions passed and the programs were approved/re-instated.

And yet - this Board's actions caused real trauma, to the children currently in these programs, to their families, to future families who might need these programs. Families came forward to share their stories, to educate the BOE, to save these programs for future students. They shouldn't have had to share their private stories. The Superintendent's recommendation and presentation of the need to serve students should have been enough. This meeting should not have been necessary. More to follow.