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District appeals federal cut to school mental-health grant; services funded through December while appeals proceed
Summary
Silver Consolidated Schools officials said a federal school-based mental-health grant was canceled and the district is appealing; staff have funding to continue providers through December and are pursuing state and local alternatives while legal and legislative outreach continues.
Joyce Barela, the district's mental-health grant coordinator, told the board on May 19 that the federal school-based mental-health grant funding had been canceled and the district is pursuing appeals and alternative local funding.
Barela reported that wellness rooms saw 4,025 student visits through May 15 and that McKinney-Vento services currently cover 63 identified students; she said the district has restocked clothing and hygiene closets and applied for other community-support programs (Soles for Souls and Single Socks) to supplement student needs.
Superintendent William Hawkins told the board the district is in the appeal process regarding the federal grant cancellation and that staff have been in contact with state officials, the lieutenant governor's office and the Public Education Department about possible funding. "We're still in the appeal process," Hawkins said, and added the district had asked for guidance and possible funding options; he noted that legal counsel is preparing appeal materials.
District staff said the current fiscal arrangements allow the mental-health providers to remain in place through December 2025; they plan to offer contracts to keep staff through that date while appeals and other funding requests continue. Hawkins said staff have reached out to the REC and legislators for support and that outcomes are uncertain.
Board members expressed concern about the funding uncertainty and the time frame for resolving appeals; Hawkins said the district will keep staff and the board informed but that the legal process and state-level requests may take time. The board received the update and did not take additional action on May 19.
