Linda Murphy advocates for counselors at Ferguson Florissant Scribe Board meeting

During the Ferguson-Florissant School District Board of Education meeting on May 14, 2025, a significant discussion centered around the proposals affecting school counselors and their vital role in supporting students. Linda Murphy, a full-time counselor at Robinwood Intermediate, addressed the board alongside the district's mental health leadership team, emphasizing the critical need for adequate counseling services in a high-need district.

Murphy urged the board to reconsider proposals that would raise the student-to-counselor ratio to the national average of 376 students per counselor. She highlighted that many students face daily challenges such as food insecurity, unstable housing, and mental health struggles. Increasing the ratio, she argued, would compromise essential support services and hinder students' ability to thrive.

Another proposal under consideration involved reassigning highly qualified counselors to classroom teaching positions. Murphy cautioned that while this might seem like a budgetary solution, it could lead to long-term negative consequences, including increased behavioral issues, absenteeism, and dropout rates. These outcomes could ultimately result in greater financial burdens for the district, necessitating additional resources for alternative education and intervention services.

Murphy's passionate plea underscored the importance of maintaining robust counseling support to foster the academic, social, and emotional well-being of students. She called for collaboration and further discussions to prioritize student welfare without sacrificing the invaluable services that strengthen schools.

The board's decisions in the coming weeks will be crucial in determining the future of counseling services in the district, impacting not only students but also families and the broader community.