Siskiyou High School District secures vital mental health funding to support struggling students

The Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors convened on December 10, 2024, to discuss various agenda items, with a significant focus on mental health services in local schools. Superintendent Marie Koval of the Siskiyou High School District addressed the board, expressing gratitude for the support received through the Mental Health Services Act contracting process. Koval highlighted the critical role of this funding in providing mental health services to students, noting that the district does not receive direct funding for such services.

Koval detailed the impact of the funding over the past two years, stating that it has supported numerous students across multiple high schools in the district. For instance, 40 students at Habitat High School and over 75 students at Mount Shasta High School benefited from these services. She emphasized the importance of mental health support, particularly in light of challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and incidents of credible threats at schools.

The discussion also touched on the need for sustainable funding for mental health services, as current funding is often reliant on one-time grants. Koval mentioned ongoing efforts to establish a system for mental health and physical services within the district, including hiring full-time counselors and wellness coaches.

Board members expressed their support for these initiatives, with discussions around the importance of parental involvement in mental health services. Koval assured the board that the district is committed to partnering with parents through informed consent and community advisory models.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the necessity of continued collaboration between the school district and county agencies to enhance mental health services for students. The board acknowledged the challenges posed by new legislation affecting parental involvement in school mental health services and reiterated the importance of transparency and community engagement in addressing these issues.