FYI: The revised letter to legislators does fit into the e-mail word limitation on the House members website email contact space. PLEASE USE THIS SAMPLE LETTER AND SEND TO YOUR HOUSE MEMBER ASAP- THEY NEED TO HEAR FROM SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS ON THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE IF WE ARE TO BE SUCCESSFUL  IN HAVING THE RATIO RESTORED. ALL HOUSE MEMBERS SHOULD BE CONTACTED!

FROM: Ann Brennan
LEGISLATIVE ALERT: SEND LETTERS ASKING FOR RESTORATION OF THE SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY RATIO

Please use the following REVISED draft letter, and add your name and contact information, as well as any personal experiences, and mail or e-mail to your Representative.

 HB 59, is currently being considered in the House Finance Education Subcommittee, comprised of the following House members: Republicans: Representative Bill Hayes R- 72, Coshocton (Chair), Ron Magg R- 62, Lebanon and Gerald Stebleton R- 77, Lancaster. Democrats: Matt Lundy D-55, Elyria and  Debbie Phillips D-94, Albany. This subcommittee will recommend amendments to the bill, so it is essential for OSPA MEMBERS IN THESE DISTRICTS TO SEND LETTERS TO THESE HOUSE MEMBERS ASAP.

Please use this draft sample letter (also attached) and remember to add your name and contact information . GO TO www.ohiohouse.gov where you can click on your Representative's name and be directed to an e-mail or an address. If you do not know your Representative you can use the zip code prompt to locate.

THANK YOU

Dear Representative___________________:

I am a school psychologist serving in the ______________ School District and I am writing to ask your support of restoring the school psychologist ratio (0RC 3317.15 (F)) in HB 59.

School psychologists provide a variety of essential services to students and staff. Some of the most significant services provided by school psychologists include: assisting teachers in designing academic and behavioral interventions for students with disabilities and other students at risk for school failure; evaluating students to determine eligibility for special education and gifted education services; providing school based mental health services to students; and serving on school district academic improvement teams.

School psychologists also evaluate students who may attend community schools and chartered non-public schools. In order for students to obtain a Jon Peterson scholarship they must first be evaluated and identified as a student with a disability. The school psychologist in the public school district where the child resides is an essential evaluation team member, and frequently responsible for seeing that the evaluation is completed.

Keeping the ratio assures that enough students will continue to enter graduate programs to both keep the university programs stable and accessible and provide enough school psychologists to school districts to serve all students at risk for academic failure and for mental health problems. This will become even more important as more currently employed school psychologists approach retirement. 

At a time when our students are facing serious academic and mental health barriers to school success, school psychologists are needed more than ever.  Please consider restoring this minimum standard, which clearly impacts on the safety and well being of Ohio’s students.

Thank you for your consideration,

Name

Contact Information