RUMFORD, Maine — The Rumford-area school district is creating a committee focusing on student behavior after concerns were raised by the teachers' union about too many staff getting hurt on the job.
The Western Foothills Education Association filed a grievance to the district noting 46 staff members had filed workers compensation claims after they had injuries from being hit, kicked, pulled on, or even bitten while most of them worked at the district's three elementary schools in Rumford, Mexico, and Sumner.
“The solution needs to be found. The situation is not tenable," the education association's union president and Mountain Valley High School teacher Steven McGinty said.
McGinty said 12 of the 46 claims required staff to seek medical attention.
“We never want any staff members hurt or be in fear of being hurt. However, it is happening," Western Foothills Regional School Unit #10's superintendent Deb Alden said.
Alden said schools have always had students with physical behavior problems to some extent, but she said she believes remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the problem. Some students who experience challenges in the school setting weren't able to get child development services at a young age, she said.
“If you’re 6 or 7, and it hasn't been diagnosed, and you haven’t received any services. It's sad. It sets them up for not an easy time when you're walking into a public school," Alden said.
The district's newly formed "behavior committee" will work to narrow down the most important behavioral issues teachers hope to resolve this school year. The committee plans to collaborate with the district's existing "intervention committee" to focus on finding solutions.
“There has to be a solution in there that will make this year a better year," McGinty said.