[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6289194,"mediaKeyId","2532805-f9a4e33b6f04835c8f688d12ca692c22","parentId",2532805,"title","District counselors say caseloads exceed national guidance, ask board for multilingual counselor and more high‑school support","audioSeconds",40,"startMs",1920000,"endMs",1960000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532805-f9a4e33b6f04835c8f688d12ca692c22&start=1920&end=1960","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532805-f9a4e33b6f04835c8f688d12ca692c22/thumbnail_1920000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6289194/Idaho/District-counselors-say-caseloads-exceed-national-guidance-ask-board-for-multilingual-counselor-and-more-highschool-support","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289194-9c9b452e7b1d1019ad645d0a09d017d0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154038&Signature=QZfJlW9LSbd4tZQ74KI0t88LkoLwBxEtBmZ7~9mmCqBS9iRrz6u35WswaPHPuIz0j~OIWUtQL~0d8lEWGDJ~IY9O9Z6AaT74j25GdpQbmUCDLzyKcJGLRfrs7wmbT472d60crGujDapdGl~7i1cZeiFtoITmPPv~STRakZqYLJcAFFtFmi~ewexQY21Hc-KsRlgHnCv3Tt5Pu6I91wAEO~1lEKgm1bo2oIco7RkCpW5vv7ASqbi~6RL9IdTq0uoKUWxCr4DA4pSim8XGgELK6PV~h0~6NNpmdgHvvIS9GA~YmkO-jrq7r3Q9DX4I7tHgSdE7XhvjHaXlB3c-B2uA~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Teton County District","date","2025-03-11T04:22:19Z","article","District school counselors told the Teton County District Board that current staffing leaves them unable to meet students’ mental‑health and special‑education needs and urged the board to approve new counselor positions, including a multilingual counselor to serve students whose first language is not English.

The counselors said they are operating well above the American School Counselor Association’s recommended ratio and described increasing incidents of severe student needs — including suicide ideation, violence and child‑welfare cases — that they said require certified counseling capacity to address. “We are really putting out a public plea. We need help, and we need a Spanish or a multilingual speaking counselor for our district,” the district counselors said during a presentation to the board.

Why it matters: Counselors argued that when students’ basic safety and mental‑health needs are unmet, academic learning cannot proceed. They asked for staffing changes targeted at Teton High School — a permanent academic dean plus additional certified counselors — and for a district‑level multilingual counselor who could serve multiple schools.

What the counselors presented
- Caseloads and capacity: Counselors said Teton High School currently has roughly 667 students on the high‑school counselors’ combined caseload and that that building’s counselor staffing is roughly two‑thirds over the ASCA recommendation of 1 counselor per 250 students. They said the district has “zero multilingual counselors” to serve about 360 students whose first language is not English.
- Examples and risks: Counselors cited rising reports of suicide ideation and hospitalizations, a tripling of child‑protective‑services reporting, substance abuse and severe behavioral incidents. They described students who have experienced trauma while migrating and families that are homeless or living with severe mental illness.
- Recommended staffing scenarios: The counselors offered two options: an ‘‘ideal’’ staffing plan that would give the high school three certified counselors plus a permanent academic dean and two multilingual counselors districtwide; and a scaled, nearer‑term option that the counselors said would be minimally acceptable: add one multilingual counselor, restore two high‑school counselor slots (bringing the building to two certified counselors plus the academic dean) and make the academic dean position permanent.

Board response and next steps
Board members asked for the staffing requests to be prioritized against other district needs and for the finance committee to assess budget impacts. District administrators said they will fold the counselors’ requests into the district’s staffing proposals and present a ranked list for the board to consider when more budget details are available.

Ending: Counselors framed the request as student‑safety and learning prerequisites rather than program expansion. They asked the board to view the multilingual counselor and the additional high‑school role as urgent steps to reduce risk and support student success.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","TSD401's Zoom Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","District school counselors told the Teton County District Board that current staffing leaves them unable to meet students’ mental‑health and special‑education needs and urged the board to approve new counselor positions, including a multilingual counselor to serve students whose first language is not English.","taxTitle","Teton County District, School Districts, Idaho","taxId",72476,"location","Idaho","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6289174,"Votes at a glance: board approves grants, insurance, study and multiple contract actions",3330,8520000,11850000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532805-f9a4e33b6f04835c8f688d12ca692c22&start=8520&end=11850","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532805-f9a4e33b6f04835c8f688d12ca692c22/thumbnail_8520000.jpg","/articles/6289174/Idaho/Votes-at-a-glance-board-approves-grants-insurance-study-and-multiple-contract-actions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289174-f79cd6980af0374b44a9cd45c2325881/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154038&Signature=CM2yGAYn-iWtn7gJzuF-OP5WBWPt~akBPmaNfrKWoaQvKr0rZbdq8lgjHVbLpSMaEIUI7Pz4i~voGVpzut7yop8TkfmITGYorblghQWEyCDtwq-d-6s-sjCrBn8-~ntDjSKzfVkTEwBAFuat9ueuJErrMRuut1T5sEkmxS66ZyV0K4WP7ZwssK-ZIdLUEGd9HpAgJO~4n1og978~ml4kyFQqxgx0D1S2KEHJIcKHlQYvwqh1dKiIaVnjkA0qljzpvkIDSfQ75XfiQ0tQMyW0lsWbhKZM5rx27EEWQoh0Avr2mocsN1lwiaYZ2BxGtJ2aY2rtQDHJKfVitc5ezHhxvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Teton County District Board took a series of formal votes during the meeting. This summary lists each action, the motion and the recorded outcome.

1) United Way community‑school grant acceptance and two site coordinators (DES and THS)
- Motion: Accept United Way grant participation and authorize two full‑time community school coordinator positions at Driggs Elementary School (DES) and Teton High School (THS). The grant provides $65,000 per site for salary/benefits and $40,000 per site for program funding in year one (declining in later years); the MOU asks districts to commit to continuing the strategy for two years beyond the grant term. The board approved the grant acceptance and approved the two site coordinator positions. Vote: aye (unanimous).

2) Voya supplemental insurance vendor
- Motion: Approve Voya as a supplemental insurance vendor (accident, critical illness and hospital products) to be offered via payroll deduction at employee election. The board approved the vendor. Vote: aye (unanimous).

3) Tissue Advice volunteer mitigation study
- Motion: Approve up to $30,000 to fund a volunteer mitigation study to propose voluntary developer contributions (mitigation) to offset school impacts from new construction. The board approved the study funding up to $30,000. Vote: aye (unanimous).

4) Consumer science renovation contract (Westfork LLC)
- Motion: Award consumer‑science renovation to Westfork LLC for $280,100. Vote: aye (unanimous).

5) HVAC upgrade (tentative approval)
- Motion: Tentatively approve Harris Mountain West for the Teton High School HVAC upgrade, subject to contractor confirmation of included scope and final price; staff to return with final price for formal award. Vote: aye (unanimous).

6) Superintendent search consultant (McPherson Jacobson)
- Motion: Hire McPherson Jacobson to conduct the superintendent search; authorize a consultant contract not to exceed $5,000. Vote: aye (unanimous).

Notes: Several of the actions above require follow‑up (e.g., final contractor price confirmation for HVAC, execution of vendor contracts, and federal grant reporting). Where amounts or year‑by‑year grant funding were discussed, that information is noted in each item above.","A summary of formal actions taken at the meeting including grant acceptance, insurance vendor approval, study funding, consultant contracts and construction awards or tentative awards.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6289179,"Parents, calendar committee spar over 4‑day week tradeoffs; committee recommends adding three Fridays",8304,316000,8620000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532805-f9a4e33b6f04835c8f688d12ca692c22&start=316&end=8620","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532805-f9a4e33b6f04835c8f688d12ca692c22/thumbnail_316000.jpg","/articles/6289179/Idaho/Parents-calendar-committee-spar-over-4day-week-tradeoffs-committee-recommends-adding-three-Fridays","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289179-dfc9fa57c9f9c8422d1e9b4d3358f64c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154038&Signature=Ndlmfl19okdMBUJpvSiPUzWuoyAf4~ZqvX83odraHeUdfkRT1OQx5VXAB8WWNVghZ210hcYA3YAIxGayMMuFPv-d61dYj~PzCuptaYkkMnzT1ByznQd25nie066Wesv0oeFWTFmmITi7KpzT3-O2PYURrfvUiXniCD7aAFHJOimJQLZ1PpWJyQ9080ZCW6ag8JJByCJPZjdjuim6UUAeTAy4bqQloyng~SBtc-mBTs3OBfKVHRhvnSRIq-RyrslE3iIytDsFutG~9kAbgLqI7L6U4DcSxi7aUdzxFTa5~Ix3ztQ722JImcw-FsbrV5bVP1KbC4WF1AsbyeHKke9UcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several parents used public comment time at the Teton County District Board meeting to press the board and calendar committee to revise the district’s four‑day school week, saying long school days harm students and increase family burden on Fridays.

Parent concerns: Brad Bonner and Anna Linsett urged the board to revisit calendar options and “try and make the day shorter” to address survey feedback that “the days are too long.” Linsett told the board that Spanish‑speaking families reported using home care for Fridays more than formal Friday programming; she cited survey numbers showing higher negative feedback from many families than the district’s topline figures suggested.

Calendar committee recommendation: Committee member Carolee Wilson reported the calendar committee had evaluated several permutations while keeping budget and state hour requirements in mind. The committee said shortening daily minutes sufficiently to shorten elementary days without adding days would push the school year well into July and risk staff retention — a staff survey cited by the committee indicated roughly two‑thirds of staff would leave if the year extended much further into summer.

The committee presented two feasible options: a calendar similar to the current year, and a calendar that keeps the 4‑day week but schedules school on three Fridays that follow federal holidays (Labor Day, Presidents Day and Memorial Day). The committee recommended the three‑Friday option because it would shorten the calendar by about one week (students would finish the Friday after Memorial Day) and avoid extending the school year into July while preserving professional collaboration Fridays.

Board reaction and next steps: Board members asked the committee to return with any clarified calendars and asked staff to check dates and formatting. A suggestion to survey families on specific alternate options was discussed; board members asked the committee to present updated options at the next meeting so the board might vote after reviewing community input and budget implications.","Public commenters urged board and calendar committee to shorten long school days and to involve parents in superintendent search; calendar committee offered two feasible options and recommended adding three Fridays after federal holidays and ending school the week after Memorial Day rather than extending into July.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6289184,"Board awards consumer‑science renovation and tentatively approves HVAC upgrade; district opens two HVAC bids",250,3630000,3880000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532805-f9a4e33b6f04835c8f688d12ca692c22&start=3630&end=3880","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532805-f9a4e33b6f04835c8f688d12ca692c22/thumbnail_3630000.jpg","/articles/6289184/Idaho/Board-awards-consumerscience-renovation-and-tentatively-approves-HVAC-upgrade-district-opens-two-HVAC-bids","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289184-bba38c75f8f9c31ee5968a4cbd2dd968/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154038&Signature=fgnNfzXfp1aIRa4Hy9Z2Lii4l3-tx1qMweE~0VtkhjYH-x50CLAZXJUneKidl7Tkb-uBrNsnko8UhPbGAQPWhC2wJUfx~SxTBkV7~6nf3Q0irxK3A7MoVkfNHAJy0mb7BACyyO0enckBDDwO9yr~O5CaHyFEkjNcdrnne9mrjop5LxsUdzTXVIQX1wp48t0oWQs-PLEfyopjuAFIt4iGdh0AbnlPimqpk0fNu28avahshGtEWMHrWO-q0dDAqLzQaQ81fNZbZ-lcqnc6A-evDElv0P23PlIyP0ZhE4odWOjRUSpqU3kzYp5Ep~SGYubytPL1RIpS-WD9PH9tegVLSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Teton County District Board awarded the consumer‑science room renovation at Teton High School to Westfork LLC for a base bid of $280,100 and tentatively approved Harris Mountain West for the high‑school HVAC upgrade, with a final award to follow price confirmation.

Consumer science award: Business manager Diane Hansen read the single bid during the public bid opening: “Consumer science, renovations. The base bid is $280,100. Westfork LLC.” Westfork’s bid included subcontractors for plumbing, HVAC and electrical; the district said the work should be complete by Aug. 15. The board voted to award the consumer‑science renovation to Westfork LLC; the board record shows the motion carried unanimously.

HVAC bids and tentative award: The district opened two bids for HVAC construction plus a separate controls vendor bid. The controls bid from Premier Energy Controls was read at $68,716 and described as the conduit/wiring and controller work for air‑handling units and gym controls. A contractor bid from Holmes Murphy Construction (Jason Curtis) listed a construction amount of $1,184,796 with a $29,000 alternate for larger motors. The board then took a tentative action to approve Harris Mountain West for the HVAC upgrade with a caveat: the district will confirm the contractor’s final price and scope before executing a final contract. Board members instructed staff to have the contractor verify that the bid covered all construction documents and requested the final price be presented at the next board meeting.

Funding and schedule notes: The consumer‑science work will be funded from the district’s 10‑year facilities plan and by grant money earmarked for appliances and equipment. The HVAC work includes a requirement that the contractor substantially complete the project by Aug. 15, 2025; the board approved a tentative award so staff could confirm equipment lead times and full scope prior to final award.

Votes: The consumer‑science award passed with an aye vote (board recorded unanimous approval). The HVAC action was a tentative approval with the board voting in favor pending final verification.","The board awarded a $280,100 contract for the Teton High School consumer‑science room and tentatively approved a contractor for a high‑school HVAC upgrade pending final price confirmation after receiving two HVAC bids and a separate controls bid.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6289189,"Board hires McPherson Jacobson to run superintendent search, authorizes consultant fee up to $5,000",1010,11680000,12690000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532805-f9a4e33b6f04835c8f688d12ca692c22&start=11680&end=12690","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532805-f9a4e33b6f04835c8f688d12ca692c22/thumbnail_11680000.jpg","/articles/6289189/Idaho/Board-hires-McPherson-Jacobson-to-run-superintendent-search-authorizes-consultant-fee-up-to-5000","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289189-0399d1e0330cc702356566569e9e4da7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154038&Signature=iD-rukZHCAUW9kuEyLfe48vDzu92NMRPXE6IGKdYnG5YXsSKqVAmnNyqxvoAS6H4Od2GzbmYgNZK5VidHZ7AbLwbJo1z7BIKncLaMnd5E1qcDPtCtQGbvZNz-S9wKQjUzyiS4mxaeF9-1jZPxtzmIG76sTa~5DfEchLbV1gzXiVrdaVA4YrU0n4XQTlxFYALoMJC2fjpfj-wjvbMhNukJcC9RR47KUn3zkSMggEypQCS6oCyyTyNbxaqo00ohBVEMhxklRJg3ypyFMAtM1lWofuDi9CT8xV58IWwcB27ye7qgNPCeaO70e1jKSQIaxKCFSEsiPRfMYwheyhIUecnyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Teton County District Board voted to hire McPherson Jacobson to handle the district’s superintendent search and authorized a consultant contract not to exceed $5,000, a motion made and seconded during the meeting.

Board members said time is a factor and that contracting a search firm would allow the district to re‑use the brochure and candidate questionnaire from the last search and place advertising quickly. Ray Hitchcliffe, who led discussion of the procurement, said McPherson Jacobson could “have a contract with Diane by tomorrow and have the advertisements on the street this week,” and the board approved the firm for the search.

Why it matters: The board is conducting a search while the district also faces near‑term hiring and budget decisions. Board members emphasized a transparent process with community input, but also said the board must present a united front to attract candidates.

What the contract will cover
- The vendor will prepare promotional materials, manage the application portal and screen applicants. The firm offered to re‑use the district’s brochure from the prior search to speed the timeline.
- The board discussed a 3‑week advertising window; the firm recommended at least three weeks to allow candidates time to assemble materials.

Quotes and process notes
- “They could have a contract with Diane by tomorrow and have the advertisements on the street this week,” Ray Hitchcliffe said after he spoke with the consultant.
- ISBA (Idaho School Boards Association) staff had called in earlier in the meeting to describe a typical search process and offer an alternative model of full support; board members discussed both options before selecting McPherson Jacobson.

Next steps: The district will finalize a contract with McPherson Jacobson, post the vacancy, and return to the board with timelines for application review and community engagement opportunities.","The board agreed to contract McPherson Jacobson to run the district's superintendent search and to advertise immediately; board members said using a search firm would speed outreach and screening.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District counselors say caseloads exceed national guidance, ask board for multilingual counselor and more high‑school support

Votes at a glance: board approves grants, insurance, study and multiple contract actions

Parents, calendar committee spar over 4‑day week tradeoffs; committee recommends adding three Fridays

Board awards consumer‑science renovation and tentatively approves HVAC upgrade; district opens two HVAC bids

Board hires McPherson Jacobson to run superintendent search, authorizes consultant fee up to $5,000