In an attempt to address the unique and previously unmet needs of a specific student population, the Wright City R-II School District has decided to hire a behavior specialist.Following research provided by the newly-formed Behavior Task Force back in the spring, Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Hecktor, who serves as chairman of the group, presented several recommendations to the board during its May meeting.Among them was hiring several new counselors, with the top need cited as a specialist in addressing behavioral issues.“We’re really looking for someone to provide internal professional development for our staff on how to work better with all kids on their behavior and how to be less punitive and more positive,” said Hecktor. “We want to use systems that really teach kids self-regulation.”The Behavior Task Force found that many of the discipline referrals were linked to students who have unique behavioral needs that cannot be addressed by the school counseling staff, as they are not certified in those particular areas.“We have students who do not qualify for special education, but have other significant needs related to mental or behavioral health,” said Hecktor.“Our school counselors are not necessarily equipped to handle that.”Hecktor says one barrier Wright City faces is that Warren County does not have the Child Services Tax that exists in bordering Lincoln and St. Charles counties. Only those students who qualify with a diagnosis under Medicaid are eligible for outside services such as that provided to schools and families by Crider Health Center.“Because we don’t have that Child Services Tax, we don’t have the option to receive many of those services that would be helpful,” said Hecktor.It was brought to the board’s attention during the May meeting that the district was already meeting its state requirement in terms of counselor to student ratio. Hecktor said she met with Superintendent David Buck to stress the need for a counselor with specific training.“He agreed that there is a need, and we put that into the budget for next year,” she said.Final interviews were conducted June 17, with a recommendation to go to the board for approval during the June 30 meeting.Wright City R-II School District