William Barnes has been with The Clear View School in Briarcliff Manor from the beginning. Since its inception in 1968 in Pelham Manor, the school for emotionally troubled children has been dealt a few hard blows.
“Funding in those days was for the most part, a matter of 50 percent fundraising and the other half came from the Department of Health, which insisted we match funds,” Barnes said. “A new state law stipulated the state education department would provide $200 a month for any child who couldn”™t be served by public schools because of their handicap.”
Due to a lack of “adequate fire protection,” the state didn”™t approve the building and subsequently, Clear View didn”™t get the funding. “Those of us who were committed to the program carried our paychecks in our brief cases because we couldn”™t cash them,” Barnes said.
Barnes and his staff found a space in the Children”™s Village in Dobbs Ferry, where they stayed for 13 years. After raising $10,000 at their 10th annual anniversary dinner, they went on the hunt yet again and ultimately moved into the old Scarborough School in 1981.
As the Clear View School celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, Barnes reflected.
Back in 1968, a state-run institution was usually where mentally-ill children ended up. Though he says that public schools are taking on the challenge of educating the handicapped, at times it can be difficult to respond to unique needs, he said.
“Children are referred here when all other solutions in public schools fail,” he said. “Tuition is paid by local school districts and the rates are set in Albany. We”™re an approved, nonpublic school ”¦ not private.”
“We”™re dealing with kids who are severely emotionally-disturbed,” he said. “Methods used must be significantly therapeutic and teachers must be very sensitive.”
The Clear View School currently serves 117 individuals, ages three to 21. “In a sense, we”™re always oversubscribed because the admissions process is quite drawn out,” Barnes said. “To keep the school moving into the future, it requires resolution and determination.”
At the upcoming annual dinner auction on Nov. 8, Julie Harris, an award-winning stage, screen and television actress will be honored for her dedication to Clear View, in addition to Barnes.
“Julie is an active contributor and calls upon her friends and acquaintances to support our programs,” said Barnes. Harris, a former Irvington resident, attended meetings between Clear View and the county board of legislators for county funding. She also performed “Belle of Amherst” for Clear View as a fundraiser, among other initiatives.
“There”™s still work to be done for the school, including rather conspicuous needs,” Barnes said. “We have a gymnasium floor which doesn”™t respond to bouncing balls.”
For information, call 941-4653.
