Greenville County School Board Discusses Expanded Behavior Training for Special Needs Students
Greenville, South Carolina – In a crucial meeting on Tuesday evening, the Greenville County School Board addressed the urgent need to enhance behavior training for school staff. This discussion comes two months after a tragic incident resulting in the death of an eight-year-old boy with autism, who ran away from school and was later found drowned in a nearby pond.
Why the Change?
Officials noted that there are currently over 12,000 special needs students being served in the district. Superintendent Dr. Burke Royster emphasized that the district is committed to improving the support and education provided to these students. The goal is to ensure that all staff members are well-equipped to manage diverse behavioral challenges effectively.
Plans for Behavior Training Expansion
During the meeting, Dr. Royster announced plans to expand behavior training programs for staff. “Increasing our capacity to serve special needs students is of utmost importance,” he stated. The training will focus on equipping teachers and school personnel with strategies tailored to support students with unique behavioral needs.
External Review for Improvement
In addition to the behavior training, the School Board also discussed the necessity of conducting a thorough external review of the district’s current services. Dr. Royster recommended hiring a third party to conduct this evaluation. He explained, “I also want the focus groups and or the surveying of parents to also be done by that third party group.” This approach aims to gather unbiased feedback on existing services directly from families.
Engaging the Community
Dr. Royster highlighted the importance of community involvement in shaping future programs. “From a standpoint of what questions should you ask, how should those questions be structured, and those focus groups should also be done in person,” he articulated. This commitment to including parents and guardians in the process signifies a proactive approach to communication and transparency.
Moving Forward
The initiatives discussed during the meeting reflect the School Board’s dedication to enhancing educational opportunities for special needs students. Increasing training for staff and soliciting community feedback are both intended to foster a safer and more supportive learning environment.
The Greenville community remains hopeful that these changes will reduce the potential for future tragedies and provide better outcomes for children with diverse learning needs. The board is expected to announce further details about the training programs and the timeline for the external review in the coming weeks.
