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Board adds state‑required notice on counseling without parental consent to policy; administration to standardize record tracking
Summary
Trustees approved a policy change to add required annual notice that students age 12 or older may access certain counseling without parental consent; the administration described steps to standardize session tracking, staff training and parent‑notification procedures.
The Huntley Community School District 158 board on Aug. 21 approved an update to district policy to reflect a state law change requiring annual written notice to school personnel and to students 12 and older about the availability of certain counseling without parent or guardian consent.
Officials said the law itself did not change the counseling rules but adds a mandate that districts inform staff and students in writing. Administrators told trustees they will place the notice in student handbooks and implement uniform session‑tracking and documentation procedures across counselors, social workers and school psychologists to ensure consistent parent notifications and record handling.
District staff said they will provide professional‑learning reminders to providers about distinctions among comfort conversations, crisis responses and mandated reporting, and they will check with legal counsel about whether an optional consent/notification form could be offered for families who wish to receive immediate notice when a student visits a counselor.
Why it matters: the policy change is procedural but affects confidentiality procedures and parent notification for counseling services; administrators emphasized training and standardized documentation to ensure compliance and transparency.
Ending: The board approved the second reading of the policy language to add the annual notification requirement; administration will return with implementation procedures and any legal guidance on consent/notification options.
