The Ocean City Board of Education on Wednesday approved the formation of a community-wide committee to address teen mental health and wellness issues.
The idea for the committee stemmed from a forum in October as the district mourned the loss of a sophomore student — the second suicide of an Ocean City High School student within a year.
The board voted unanimously to create a Strategic Ad-Hoc Committee to be comprised of board members, administrators, staff, students, parents, community members, law enforcement agencies and public agencies. The goal of the committee will be to “ensure consistency, collaboration and communication” in creating a broad-based support network for teens.
Board President Joe Clark said he anticipates about 65 to 70 people will serve on the committee, which will meet on Dec. 9, Jan. 13, Jan. 27 and Feb. 10. Clark will chair the committee, and representatives from the New Jersey School Boards Association will facilitate the meetings.
“A lot of people have come to us,” Clark said.
“We must work to support our students, and work with families, community and public agencies to prevent additional tragedies,” Superintendent Kathleen Taylor wrote in a letter to parents last month. “Together, we can ensure that all of our children will grow and thrive in a supportive community that is forged through our partnerships.”
On Wednesday, Ocean City Student Assistance Coordinator Lauren Sacs updated the board on the continuing effort to put programs in place for substance abuse and mental health awareness.
“A lot of kids who do need help don’t know how to ask for it,” Sacs said.
She outlined a number of new and continuing programs to educate and intervene with students at risk.
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In other business at Wednesday’s meeting, the board saw a presentation on new program proposals, including new textbooks and a new Honors Latin III class at the high school. The programs require no proposed budget increase for the 2016-17 school year.
See PDF below for an outline of the proposals:
