Despite Lingering Concerns, Board of Education Approves ABA Proposal

There are still a few details to iron out, but when schools reopen in fall 2013, all new members of Southington schools Applied Behavioral Analysis program will be under the supervision and care of the school district rather than CREC.

It was a decision that members of the Board of Education came to Thursday after a unanimous vote as the district attempts to take ownership of the program from the Capitol Region Education Council, but a decision that left parents of existing ABA students frustrated and concerned.

“As parents and after reviewing the plan, there are still many questions and concerns to be answered,” said Jay O’Brien, father of a fourth-grader and successful autism student. “As parents, we question why (the district) is changing a program that we are all satisfied with.”

The district over the past several months has explored whether it would be feasible to take control of the ABA program, an education system designed to provide assistance to autistic students and their families in helping them overcome challenges and achieve a normal student life. CREC has led the program as contracted servicers for the past 15 years.

Let Patch save you time. Get news like this delivered right to your inbox or smartphone every day with our free newsletter. Simple, fast sign-up here.

Under the proposal, the district would assume responsibility of the program as part of a phase in effort over the next several years with newly hired district staff working closely with the existing CREC staff to provide a seamless transition, according to Perri Murdica, senior coordinator of special education for Southington schools.

The ultimate goal of the town taking over coordination of the program will be to implement it in a way that uses the current CREC program as a model, she said.

Murdica said the town would also have immediate access to in-district resources to help students with autism at all levels. She said this would be critical in preparing for the new standard core curriculum requirements that are soon to be implemented.

Students currently enrolled in the CREC-run program would be “grandfathered in” and would remain under CREC oversight.

O’Brien and three other parents spoke out Thursday evening with concerns that the efforts would mess with a program that has provided countless examples of success and does so with no guarantee that Southington will be able to provide proper oversight to assure there is no change in quality.

Several parents also expressed concerns that the district may be rushing into a change because of potential cost savings.

The program calls for an anticipated cost savings of approximately $100,000, according to early figures, by hiring one board certified behavioral analyst, or BCBA, and five therapists at a rate of just over $20,000 each, the current rate paid to full-time paraprofessionals. These savings are based on the current contracts with CREC.

“It’s not that budgets aren’t important, but right now we are getting a lot of bang for our buck,” said Gerard Terry, parent of a successful fifth-grader with autism.

But board members and School Superintendent Joseph V. Erardi Jr. said it’s not about saving money, but rather enhancing services within the district rather than addressing issues by outsourcing to a different organization.

Erardi was clear in saying that although there is an anticipated cost savings, the district is also aware that with 24 students currently enrolled and a ration of one of every 88 students being autistic nationwide, there may be additional costs down the road to hire and maintain proper and effective staffing levels to maintain the program’s current success.

Board member Jill Notar-Francesco said the reasons for the move extended beyond any financial motives. She spent time at the Hatton Elementary School this week talking with school staff, CREC staff and observing the program and said she is comfortable that with a properly and regularly monitored system, the district can implement the program without compromising quality.

It would also provide the accountability within the district as the school system takes on ownership of the program, she said.

“It’s important that we implement this through qualified and trained hires, but it is a cautious and conservative approach,” she said. “It is my philosophical belief that CREC services are not permanently embedded within districts. CREC should be there to support us, then to move away.”

There are some details to still iron out, however. After questions from several board members, Murdica said she wasn’t entirely sure how CREC measured success other than through student success and parental satisfaction.

Board of Education Chairman said he believes CREC should share the full measurement model with the district and expressed concerns that it hasn’t been done to this point.

“I want to know how exactly how CREC uses their own assessments and if we don’t have it already, shame on CREC,” he said. “Shame on CREC, shame on me and shame on all board members before me and with me for this to go on for 15 years.”

“I’ve never supported this before this year, but I believe we are ready because this is the first time we have a collaborative, phase in plan,” he added.  

Editor’s Note: Although unanimous in their decision, board members David Derynoski and Zaya Oshana were absent from Thursday’s meeting and did not vote.

Make sure to like Southington Patch on Facebook and follow on Twitter for breaking news, daily updates and more!