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Upshur BOE reaches agreement with therapist

TENNERTON — During the Upshur County Board of Education meeting Tuesday evening, through a memorandum of understanding the board granted Creative Connections Psychotherapy, LLC access to clients at schools during school hours.

In a letter addressed to the board, Sarah Long, therapist and owner of Creative Connections, states, “if you were to permit me to meet with my clients at their schools it would greatly cut down on the amount of missed instructional time.”

Because Long’s office is in Taylor County, clients within the school have to commute for sessions.

The letter states that by allowing her to meet with students at the school, “you would be providing flexibility for students to meet with me during non-instructional time whenever possible.”

Long stressed the school and personnel would be held “harmless of liability” during her services.

“I carry my own liability insurance, hold the appropriate credentials, and operate within the guidelines of my state licensing board,” reads the letter.

The only thing Long ask for during the sessions is a quiet, private space.

The services that will be provided to Long’s clients include intake assessments/evaluations, individual psychotherapy sessions, case management services, appropriate documentation of all sessions and services, tracking and maintenance of records of all billable time and conducting all billing independently.

According to the agreement between the school system and Creative Connections, the school will need to obtain written parental consent on all forms and documents before scheduling with any student. Also included in the agreement, Long must immediately inform appropriate staff of any information that warrants an emergency.

Superintendent Roy Wager said the services provided for Long’s clients will not cost the schools anything.

Also discussed at the meeting:

• Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School and Buckhannon-Upshur High School presented to the board their Local School Improvement Council reports.

• Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School and Buckhannon-Upshur High School presented their faculty senate reports.

• The board went into executive session to discuss the ratification of an employee’s suspension and the expulsion of three students.

• The board reviewed and approved budgetary items on the agenda.

• The board reviewed and approved snow removal bids for the 2017-18 school year.

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