Manchester Offers Students Access To Free Counseling
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
NORTH MANCHESTER -ÊManchester Community Schools took steps Tuesday to implement a Student Assistance Program through the Bowen Center, to provide all MCS students with free counseling sessions.
This early intervention program will give all students access to counselors specializing in every area from eating disorders to drug and alcohol addictions counselors to adjustment disorder therapists. The program will run year-round and offer a 24-hour crisis line staffed by counselors. Students who use the program can obtain counseling at any of the six Bowen Center locations.
According to Bowen Center representatives, the program works in conjunction with schools, identifying problems and planning a solution. If a student wants, information can be released to school counselors and/or parents so they can all work together. However, information gained in counseling sessions is held confidential unless the student otherwise requests.
The program, which will cost less than 50 cents monthly per student, is solely funded by grants, and the Bowen Center employs a full-time grant writer to assist schools in obtaining funds.
In other business, the board:
• Approved plans to pursue information regarding the possible implementation of a guaranteed savings energy proposal plan.
The plan falls under Senate Bill 516 and allows the school to obtain funds to make much-needed improvements at very low interest rates.
Making school improvements and repairs under this plan benefits the school by giving them access to funding otherwise unavailable and by guaranteeing a price for the work before construction starts.
Contractors employed under this bill cannot issue any change orders.
Board president Sally Krouse noted that funds used to make school improvements are dollars earmarked for building work and cannot be used to pay teacher salaries.
• Tabled a recommendation to hire Brandon Baker as eighth-grade social studies teacher. Baker was hired last month as varsity football coach at the high school and was expected to receive the teaching position Tuesday. According to Superintendent Dr. Diana Showalter, Baker comes highly recommended for the position, but they may need to give the job to another teacher to bring back a laid-off teacher.
The school is unsure of what to do because to bring back one laid-off teacher, an employed teacher must take an involuntary transfer to the social studies position.
This is "a very difficult situation" and was called "uncharted waters" by board members.
Showalter apologized to Baker for the delay and said they hope to reach a decision shortly after consulting with an administrative team.
Manchester school board members are Sally Krouse, president, Todd Speicher, Thom Frantz, Kent Terrill, Larry Miller, Carlye McLaughlin and Brad Perrot. Superintendent is Diana Showalter. [[In-content Ad]]
NORTH MANCHESTER -ÊManchester Community Schools took steps Tuesday to implement a Student Assistance Program through the Bowen Center, to provide all MCS students with free counseling sessions.
This early intervention program will give all students access to counselors specializing in every area from eating disorders to drug and alcohol addictions counselors to adjustment disorder therapists. The program will run year-round and offer a 24-hour crisis line staffed by counselors. Students who use the program can obtain counseling at any of the six Bowen Center locations.
According to Bowen Center representatives, the program works in conjunction with schools, identifying problems and planning a solution. If a student wants, information can be released to school counselors and/or parents so they can all work together. However, information gained in counseling sessions is held confidential unless the student otherwise requests.
The program, which will cost less than 50 cents monthly per student, is solely funded by grants, and the Bowen Center employs a full-time grant writer to assist schools in obtaining funds.
In other business, the board:
• Approved plans to pursue information regarding the possible implementation of a guaranteed savings energy proposal plan.
The plan falls under Senate Bill 516 and allows the school to obtain funds to make much-needed improvements at very low interest rates.
Making school improvements and repairs under this plan benefits the school by giving them access to funding otherwise unavailable and by guaranteeing a price for the work before construction starts.
Contractors employed under this bill cannot issue any change orders.
Board president Sally Krouse noted that funds used to make school improvements are dollars earmarked for building work and cannot be used to pay teacher salaries.
• Tabled a recommendation to hire Brandon Baker as eighth-grade social studies teacher. Baker was hired last month as varsity football coach at the high school and was expected to receive the teaching position Tuesday. According to Superintendent Dr. Diana Showalter, Baker comes highly recommended for the position, but they may need to give the job to another teacher to bring back a laid-off teacher.
The school is unsure of what to do because to bring back one laid-off teacher, an employed teacher must take an involuntary transfer to the social studies position.
This is "a very difficult situation" and was called "uncharted waters" by board members.
Showalter apologized to Baker for the delay and said they hope to reach a decision shortly after consulting with an administrative team.
Manchester school board members are Sally Krouse, president, Todd Speicher, Thom Frantz, Kent Terrill, Larry Miller, Carlye McLaughlin and Brad Perrot. Superintendent is Diana Showalter. [[In-content Ad]]