Parents voice concerns over SECEP plans

CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) - Chesapeake parents voiced their concerns about the closing of a Deep Creek facility for children with special needs and behavioral issues Monday night.

The Chesapeake School Board is considering seven options for the aging Southeastern Cooperative Educational Programs (SECEP) building off George Washington Highway that houses more than 100 special needs and behavioral problem students. One option is to make critical repairs to the current building which could cost millions of dollars. At a minimum, the work would not be complete until 2014.

Two options would include purchasing or building a stand alone site in Cavalier Industrial Park, while four other options would involve moving the students from the SECEP facility to other middle schools.

"SECEP students also deserve a decent place to learn, but not at the expense or safety of any middle school child," another parent said to the board.

Parents argue that moving SECEP students to other schools would create a safety risk.

"If you place the SECEP program in any of the existing middle schools it's not a question if something will go wrong, but a question when something will go wrong," one parent said.

A decision will not be made until October.

The following information is available on the Chesapeake Schools website:

On June 11 and July 9, 2012, Chesapeake Public Schools staff presented the School Board 7 options related to the necessary improvements, replacement, or relocation of the current Deep Creek SECEP facility on George Washington Highway. A decision on the SECEP facility is required in a timely manner to allow the school system and SECEP adequate time to implement the option approved by the School Board. The School Board will conduct two public hearings on the options in order to get input from the community. In early fall, the school administration will send letters to the homes of impacted students briefly outlining the 7 options presented to the Board.