District considers mental health services at Carden Park

Sept. 09--The St. Joseph School District is looking at partnering with the Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney's office to find a mental health provider at Carden Park School.

Prosecuting Attorney Dwight Scroggins presented an offer to the school board during its Monday night meeting that would help the district find a provider and secure some of the funding.

Those services have been identified as a need for some students at the school. It also could help with attendance as children would not have to leave campus to get needed services.

"The prosecutor's office works with the district on attendance issues and with the construction of Carden Park, we have the largest number of elementary students in the district in one school and what we would like to do is see what is the absolute optimal way to provide some of the services that everyone agrees that these children need," Mr. Scroggins said.

Lacey Adams, Carden Park principal, said the hope is to have a professional counselor at the school five days a week. There also is a need for someone to do medication management.

"I don't believe it's needed just at my school, but I see a need and it happens to be at my school and so we're looking at ways to try to come to some type of resolution to help our students," Ms. Adams said.

Board members agreed to explore the issue further before making a decision. If the service is approved, it could serve as a pilot program that could extend to other schools.

"It's about what can we do to address barriers that affect children's attendance and learning," board member Chris Danford said.

In other action, the board approved invoices over $15,000. Those invoices included:

$40,915 for services above retainer from the Morton, Reed, Counts, Briggs and Robb law firm.

$18,597 for swim team expense for the 2014 season.

Approximately $117,000 in equipment for classrooms as part of a Hillyard Technical School Enhancement grant.

$41,500 to Yellow Dog Networks to provide internal antennas for Carden Park and Oak Grove schools.

$4,798 to SSI for student chairs and desks and $3,284 for shelving and bookcases.

$15,177 to Riddell All American sports for Lafayette High School football uniforms.

$15,110 to Elsevier for Hillyard classroom books.

The board also adopted a resolution opposing Constitutional Amendment 3, which would tie teacher tenure and salary to student performance that will be assessed by the state.

"We're going to need everybody and their cousins to show up and vote against this," said Dennis Snethen, board member.

Students at Pershing Elementary School were recognized for their work in getting passage of a law that makes the jumping jack the official state exercise.

The board also approved the base bid of $39,200 from Roderick Sign to construct monument signs at Carden Park and Oak Grove elementary schools.

After the public meeting, the board voted to go into a closed session.

Alonzo Weston can be reached

at alonzo.weston@newspressnow.com.

Follow him on Twitter: @SJNPWeston.

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