KILLINGLY, Conn. — The State Department of Education announced on Friday that Killingly students will soon be given significantly expanded mental health services district-wide.
A news release from the State Department of Education said the development occurred after the completion of a comprehensive investigation and resolution process following a complaint.
In April 2022, a 10-4b complaint was filed by Attorney Andrew Feinstein on behalf of worried Killingly residents and parents, who believed the town’s Board of Education failed to meet the state’s educational interests by not providing adequate mental health support to students.
A 10-4b complaint alleges that a board of education fails or is unable to implement the educational interests of the state. The full complaint filed more than two years ago can be seen here.
The department's inquiry resulted in “a series of impartial hearings by a panel of the State Board of Education, beginning in November 2022,” according to the release.
The resolution was officially agreed upon by all parties on Friday and represents a commitment to the mental health and well-being of students, which the State Department of Education deemed to be critical for students' educational success.
The release said the Killingly Board of Education has agreed to a new arrangement with Community Health Resources, Inc., or CHR, which will offer expanded, full-time mental health services at Killingly High School and Killingly Intermediate School, as well as part-time services at Killingly Memorial School.
The agreement also includes “enhanced outreach efforts by CHR to inform families about the available services,” the release said.
The state will continue monitoring the implementation of these services to make sure they meet the agreed upon standards and effectively address the needs of Killingly students. Click here to view the full resolution.
A variety of state officials commented in the release, beginning with Gov. Ned Lamont.
“This is a significant victory for the students of Killingly. Today’s resolution is a testament to the unwavering commitment of the Connecticut State Department of Education and the State Board of Education in prioritizing the social, behavioral and mental health of our students,” Gov. Lamont said in the release.
Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz is quoted as saying that the students of Killingly made their voices heard and that the agreement is a triumph for all of them.
“Our young people have had a lot to face in recent years, and they deserve to have access to adequate mental health resources and support to help them through whatever challenges they may face,” Lt. Gov. Bysiewicz said in the release. “I appreciate the work of the Killingly Board of Education in finding a resolution that meets the needs of their students.”
Charlene Russell-Tucker, the State Education Commissioner, said in the release that the agreement marked a "momentous day for the students of Killingly."
She commended the Killingly Board of Education for helping to resolve the matter in the best interests of students and said the resolution is representative of the state’s "dedication to ensuring that every student in Connecticut has access to the social, emotional, behavioral and mental health services they need to thrive."
Atty. Feinstein considered the resolution to be a “welcome victory for the students of Killingly.”
In the release, he complimented the “clear, persistent and effective advocacy” by the Department of Education and Russell-Tucker.
“The State Board of Education, in concert with the department, has been steadfast in holding that the social, behavioral and mental health of students is a critical part of the educational mission of the state of Connecticut,” Feinstein said in the release. “The 10-4b complaint being resolved today made it clear that school districts need to devote staff, resources and attention to the emotional needs of students.”
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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