PV, Weatherly share psychologist to add mental health services to prevent violence

Panther Valley Superintendent Dennis Kergick says he believes there is a link between school violence and a lack of mental health services in schools. Students whose needs are not being met are more likely to act out, and in the worst cases, become violent.

“We need to show kids that there are adults who care deeply and offer support. We also need to focus on building resiliency in our youngsters,” Kergick said.

Panther Valley, which is not immune to threats of violence, already has a school psychologist, but the district is hoping to add even more mental health services, thanks to a new partnership which is unique for our area.

The district’s school board voted last week to hire a new school psychologist. But unlike the existing position, the new employee will split her time between Panther Valley and Weatherly Area School District.

Weatherly, like Panther Valley, is a small school district trying to deal with expenses which are growing faster than tax revenue.

“Our school districts find ourselves in a financial bind and we need to be mindful of fiscal responsibilities while providing quality services to our families that attend our school districts,” Kergick said.

It is estimated that the number of students in the Panther Valley School District with special needs or requiring special services will rise to 430 in the coming school year. When a student is referred for such services, the district has to collect data to guide that student’s education.

Kergick said the partnership with Weatherly is the first of its kind, creates an “ideal” situation for Panther Valley, and should be beneficial for both districts and their students.

“We are always open to working with other school districts to serve our students. Our issues and problems are common, and it is important to recognize that we are more alike than different in dealing with concerns,” Kergick said.

Meghan Hoppes was appointed to fill the new position at a salary of $50,000, which will be split between the two districts. She is officially a Panther Valley School District employee, and part of the Panther Valley Act 93 bargaining group, which includes principals, the special education director and the maintenance supervisor. Under the Act 93 contract, she will be entitled to the contractual pay raises that those officials receive.

Hoppes’ official start date is Aug. 21.

In addition to the new psychologist, the district is also encouraging its teachers to emphasize trauma awareness and social and emotional learning.

That includes recognizing the prevalence of childhood trauma and that it can have a lasting impact. It is estimated that 72 percent of children in the United States have experienced some kind of stressful event, including bullying, violence, abuse, or the death of a parent or sibling, before the age of 18. Kergick said that schools have an obligation to try to reduce the impact of trauma on children, because it is where they spend much of their day.

“This is why we have developed as a focal point in our school district the mantra of building connections,” Kergick said.