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FRAMINGHAM – Framingham Public School District Superintendent Bob Tremblay announced today, April 3, he has appointed Courtney Balacco as the new Executive Director of Student Supports, effective immediately.
This is a new position within the public school district.
“Five months of observations, conversations, and distillations of common themes during Dr. Tremblay’s Superintendent residency has led to this structural change, which will be pivotal to how the District addresses our students and staff in crisis and, given the urgency, this move will take effect immediately and remain in place moving forward,” announced the Superintendent in a press release.
“This position was created directly in response to my observations during my school residencies. It is clear that the gap between special education (Tier 3) and regular education, particularly Tier 2 support (Tier 1 is at the classroom level) and that specific and direct oversight and bridge-building in this area will provide the support that is needed. Article 18 reports from staff, particularly this year, were all related to student behaviors and those behaviors have impeded our ability across all of our schools to focus on teaching and learning in the way that we need to,” said Supt. Tremblay to SOURCE.
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In this position, “Balacco will bridge the gap between regular education and special education to address the needs of students across all of our schools which seem to reflect about 1% of each school’s population,” said Tremblay in a press release.
Balacco joined the Framingham Public School team as Director of Health and Wellness in 2022.
“Funding for this position is already in the district operating budget and the job responsibilities are specifically aligned to better connect the Special Education and Health and Wellness departments,” said Supt. Tremblay.
The position was posted internally for at least two weeks, said Supt. Tremblay.
As the district’s Director of Health & Wellness she was paid $139,123.
The Director of Student Supports salary is $155,00
Supt. Tremblay said Balacco will be seeking to replace her position.
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Prior to joining the FPS team, Balacco was a clinical coordinator at Westborough Public Schools where she supported the development of mental health programming and systems of support for the district. Her role also included providing mental health support, consultation, and training for students, staff, and families for the past 7 years.
Prior to that, Balacco had worked in multiple social work and mental health roles across other districts, community-based organizations, and state governmental agencies for nearly 10 years. She is a board licensed Mental Health Counselor and School Social Worker.
She is an active Red Cross Disaster Mental Health responder, providing mental health support as a volunteer in response to state and national disasters and critical events.
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Her educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Stonehill College and a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling and School Adjustment Counseling/School Social Work from Bridgewater State University.
“I have had the pleasure of working with Courney Balacco since the summer of 2022, and I have been impressed with her perseverance, proaction, and positivity in addressing student supports,” said Supt. Tremblay. “A true team player, Ms. Balacco embraces collaboration and is passionate about pathways to improve the emotional, mental, and social well-being of all students. I trust in her ability to lead the Office of Student Supports in the continued championing for our students in this post-COVID era.”
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