Tecumseh Public Schools details expanded mental-health, SEL supports and limits amid state cuts

Superintendent Matt Hilton said the district is widening its focus on social-emotional learning and mental-health services after reviewing discipline referrals and developmental patterns, particularly at middle school.

The presentation outlined a tiered approach that pairs universal SEL lessons with targeted Tier 2 interventions (check-in/check-out, lunch groups) and Tier 3 supports (restorative practices, one-on-one supports and referrals to community providers). "The research is very clear. When the brain is overly stressed, learning is inhibited," Hilton told the board, citing classroom and screening data as the impetus for the work.

Kim (district mental-health staff) described the district's mental-health workforce: mental-health professionals (mostly social workers or clinical social workers) in every building, dedicated social workers for students with IEPs, elementary behavior coaches, high-school graduation coaches provided through CLC and school counselors who deliver classroom lessons and lunch groups. "We do have mental health professionals in all of our buildings in the district," Kim said, adding that many providers are already near capacity.

Staff detailed programs and tools in use: K–4 uses the Everyday Speech SEL curriculum and grades 5–12 use the Trails curriculum, universal PBIS, SABERS screening done three times a year, and a weekly check-in tool (Eye Wellness) to be piloted after spring break. Restorative practices trainers work at the middle school and the district is adding more trainers. Kim described CAST (child assistance support pre-referral) meetings to create documented plans that follow a student in Infinite Campus.

District staff said partnerships with community providers and countywide clinics are important for students with more complex clinical needs. Hilton noted the district is working with local providers and referenced Midwest Behavioral Health’s planned services at the Old Herrick hospital site as a community resource staff can call for urgent needs.

Parent-facing services were also described. The district used state 31AA grant funding to contract with Parent Guidance (Cook Center for Human Connections) for a two-year program that included live webinars, one-on-one parent coaching and Ask-a-Therapist sessions. The presenter said that contract cost $74,000 for two years and that recordings remain available online. Participation data: in 2023–24 the district recorded 292 registrations for district-hosted sessions (68 attended live) and 52 revisit views; this school year the vendor reported 36 active users, 41 sessions and 106 page views. One-on-one coaching had low take-up: two parents (representing four students) last year and seven parents (representing 14 students) this year after an October outreach surge.

Trustees asked where gaps remain. Staff identified limited specialized clinical capacity and insufficient sustainable funding after the state reduced 31AA (safety and mental-health) funding by roughly half. Kim recommended continued partnership with community mental-health agencies, expanded training for staff and exploring funding or grants for deeper clinical services.

Public commenter Linda Miller told the board she supports the district focus and asked whether the district partners with the Family Medical Center's school-based clinics and urged stronger referral and follow-up practices. "You can't learn if you are not well," she said, and urged consistent connection practices by staff.

The board did not take formal action on new policy at the meeting but directed staff to continue developing implementation details, explore funding options and bring further proposals on gaps and priorities to future meetings.