Part I: Killingly Board of Education - short history of the School Based Health center complaint
Tracking the board, the complaint, and the media's narrative
For months, the CT Mirror and the Hartford Courant have reported on a large controversy surrounding the implementation of a school-based mental health center (SBHC) in the Killingly school district. A small group of residents—57 to be exact—had relentlessly advocated that a particular School Based Health Center (SBHC) called Generations Family Health centers, should be present at Killingly high school, the middle school and the intermediate school.
For alleged inaction toward the mental health needs of the district’s students, school board chairman Norm Ferron came under intense fire, as did the entire board, for what was alleged to be a stubborn and ‘baseless’ refusal to allow a particular SBHC—Generations Family Health centers to be exact—to operate inside district schools.
An article in the CT Mirror urged that the state board of education should conduct an investigation; a more recent piece reveals that a hearing will take place.
CT Mirror articles on Killingly’s SBHC controversy
The CT Mirror has tracked Killingly’s story via their reporter Ginny Monk, who has authored numerous articles on the board’s refusal to sign a 5-year contract with Generations Family Health centers. Monk’s articles are below:
2022
Op Ed: John Day, MD: June 13, 2022
CT Mirror: mental health needs skyrocket statewide
While the Complainants in the case alleged the uptick of mental health needs in Killingly, the board’s response includes the fact that a monumental increase in troubled teens was a national and statewide problem. The CT Mirror’s own report:
“During the pandemic, the number of children and teens waiting in emergency departments for inpatient psychiatric beds increased. In February, for example, that number more than doubled in Connecticut — to 56, up from 26, according to the Connecticut Hospital Association. An average of 38 children waited for care on any given day during that time. Of those 38, an average of 31 were between 13 and 17 years old, and seven were 12 or younger.” Full article: April 22, 2022
The board’s initial response
After the initial complaint in April of 2022, the Killingly board of education submitted a 22-page response, which includes a procedural history, the board’s actions well before the Complaint was filed, and answering the Complaint’s allegations.
Brief summary of the board’s actions listed in their response:
The decision about the specific SBHC proposal cannot be viewed in isolation
Procedural history of the complaint and allegations
Factual background on school demographics, spending, mental health needs of students, etc.
Recent SEL initiatives, including RULER implementation and resources for troubled teens
The holding of public forums, board meetings, SBHC considerations and operating expenses, personnel, etc.
Authority definitions of state v local boards of education
Specific allegations and responses