STATE COLLEGE — State College Area School Board on Monday, June 15 approved a new, comprehensive Multi-Tiered System of Supports platform, Branching Minds.
Administrators said the platform is designed to strengthen the district’s ability to deliver equitable, data-driven academic and behavioral supports. The district’s current MTSS implementation relies on a mix of disconnected tools, manual data tracking, and inconsistent processes across schools, according to the administrators.
Stephanie Beaver, director of student services, called the platform a one-stop shop focused on the whole student and the supports needed to help that student succeed. In addition, administrators will have access to data that provides a broader snapshot of how students are being supported throughout all schools.
Board member Amy Bader said the platform will not supplant the great work MTSS teams throughout the district already do, but is instead a tool that, among other things, will make data more accessible to allow for more informed decision-making. The purchase also includes the Canopy Bundle, which provides additional support including social-emotional learning screening tools, a behavioral threat assessment package, and other screening tools.
The total cost for the first year is approximately $59,150. Branching Minds is currently used by other Pennsylvania school districts, including neighboring Bellefonte Area School District.
Also at the meeting, the board approved the renovation of space in the Panorama Village building, which for the past several years has been used to house a Mount Nittany Elementary fifth grade class. As that class moves back following the Mount Nittany Elementary expansion project, the district plans to use the space in PV for professional development.
“This is a big deal — a lot of fifth grade classes have been in this building for a long time,” said board member Jackie Huff. “But it’s great that the kids are going back to their elementary school and that we can repurpose this space for the district.”
In other business, the board approved:
- Remodeling of two classrooms at Mount Nittany Middle School as science classrooms.
- Builder’s risk insurance for the Mount Nittany Elementary expansion.
- An upgrade to the playground at Mount Nittany Elementary.
- A recommendation to authorize the issuance of two series of bonds for the Park Forest Middle School project. While the district is not seeking bonds immediately, the move provides greater flexibility to borrow money when market conditions are right.
