North Haven schools try to stay ahead of mental health issues

June 14--NORTH HAVEN -- Changes in teaching staff could pave the way for education officials to put more focus on school hot topics like mental health.

Superintendent of Schools Robert Cronin and Anita Anderson, chairman of the Board of Education, said retirements and low kindergarten enrollment have made room for a possible addition of a school psychologist and social worker.

Five teachers recently have announced their retirement.

The shift in staff might mean the possibility of a new technology, music or art teacher.

Cronin said the low kindergarten enrollment left two teaching positions open and the option of hiring a new professional.

"After a presentation from our Director of Special Services Dana Corriveau, we realized we had to fill a mental health position," Anderson said.

Corriveau said the district's six psychologists and five social workers have a full plate and aren't able to engage in the intervention phase with students -- which is paramount.

"The status of mental health for young people is not unique to North Haven. Mental health is taking more of a forefront. We're trying to keep up, and stay ahead if we can. We recognize the mental health field is becoming more and more complex," Corriveau said

"We're looking at where we want to go next, but it was unanimous that mental health had to be addressed," Cronin said.

A job posting for a school psychologist was posted on school's website Friday morning. A social worker position could be posted as early as next week.

Cronin and Anderson said the change in staff has allowed for the superintendent to continue working within the budget approved by the town.

"We always work to use rescources as much as possible to get to the classroom level," Cronin said.

Anderson said the library media specialist will work with the district's technology until a decision is made.

After filling mental health positions, Cronin will decide how to pursue filing the technology, art and music position. Both the music and art elementary teachers were signed to a one-year contract, which weren't renewed this fiscal year because of budget cuts.

Throughout the budget season, First Selectman Michael Freda focused on keeping the tax increase at zero. The zero increase meant cutting the Board of Education's proposed budget from a 3.7 percent increase to a recommended 2.3 percent increase, or $657,000 less than Cronin's original proposal.

Cronin said some may have misconceptions the cuts led to staff layoffs.

"Even with the 2.3 percent (budget) increase, we didn't have one layoff. People with one-year contracts knew there was a possibility it wouldn't be renewed. Everyone that is non-tenured and has a contract still has a position," Cronin said.

Cronin said changes to the district are still a possibility.

"In schools, a lifetime happens between June 30 and August 30 and I suspect this year to be no different," Cronin said.

Call Ebony Walmsley at 203-789-5734. Have questions, feedback or ideas about our news coverage? Connect directly with the editors of the New Haven Register at AskTheRegister.com.

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