The Schenectady City School District is not releasing the report of a consultant brought in to address the suicides of four high school students last year.
Dr. Robert Macy, executive director of the Boston Center for Trauma Psychology, visited the school last April, spoke with students and school officials for two days and led a community forum attended by about 250 people to discuss the suicide issue. He also prepared a report with recommendations to the district.
The Daily Gazette had filed a Freedom of Information Law request in November, seeking a copy of the report and Macy’s fee.
District officials acknowledged the request and sent a document showing that Macy was paid $6,328 for work during the months of March 2009 to December 2009, training community members and staff.
The money came from a Department of Education grant called School Emergency Response to Violence (SERV).
However, district officials did not provide a copy of the report.
The Daily Gazette also made an effort to reach Macy directly.
On Feb. 12, Macy said in an e-mail he was receptive to a story about the report, but was worried about increasing suicides by more publicity. He referred questions to the district, specifically Lynn Rafalik, director of pupil personnel services.
In response to a question about whether the report will be released, district spokeswoman Karen Corona issued the following one-sentence statement: “Dr. Macy’s report will not be made available to the public at this time.”
No further information was available Thursday about why the report is not being made public.
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