Killingly schools, state board reach agreement on mental health clinic

KILLINGLY, Conn. (WTNH) — An agreement has been reached in a more than two-year battle over mental health services for students in the town of Killingly.

“I’m happy to report that today’s a great day for the students in Killingly public schools,” said Michael McKeon, an attorney for the state board of education.

He investigated the complaint filed by Killingly parents after the Killingly Board of Education denied a proposal for a school-based mental health clinic. The cost of the clinic was covered under a grant.

The proposal came after a survey answered by students indicated they were struggling with mental health issues.

“When a school board responds to the fact that approximately 66 of its students have reached the point of such despair that they have crafted suicide plans by challenging the students’ truthfulness or characterizing that number as not being that high, there’s a clear problem,” McKeon said.

Several students had testified in front of both the Killingly and state boards of education, which some parents said helped lead to Friday’s agreement. The deal will now bring mental health and behavioral health services to three schools in town.

“The positive outcome was a direct result of their voice,” Killingly parent Christine Rosati Randall said.

Andrew Feinstein, the attorney who represented the Killingly parents, said the deal was what the parents wanted.

Community Health Resources, or CHR, will provide full-time staff at the high school and intermediate school, as well as part-time counselors in one of the elementary schools.

“The fact that they’re on the school property and the access is what we were fighting for,” Killingly parent Kristine Cicchetti said.

A year after parents filed their complaint with the state in 2022, there was an election in town that led to a big shift on the Killingly Board of Education. The new board is part of Friday’s agreement.

Killingly Board of Education Chairperson Susan Lannon said that the “initiative was unanimously supported by the current Killingly Board of Education.”

Charlene Tucker-Russell, the commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Education added that, “This resolution underscores our dedication to ensuring that every student in Connecticut has access to the social, emotional, behavioral, and mental health services they need to thrive.”

The state will continue to check in with the town. Erin Benham, the vice chair of the state board of education, said she might visit Killingly.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.