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Cincinnati Board adopts new mental health and wellness policy after debate over funding language
Summary
The Cincinnati Board of Education voted to adopt new board policy 85-16 — the district's Mental Health and Wellness Policy — after debate over whether to add language tying goals to available funding; Vice President Bolton voted no.
The Cincinnati Board of Education on May 19 adopted a new district Mental Health and Wellness Policy, board policy 85-16, after a period of discussion about whether to qualify the policy's goals with an "as finances allow" phrase.
The policy was presented to the board by a member of the policy committee and staff and then offered for adoption; after a motion to approve and a short discussion, the board voted to adopt the policy. Vice President Bolton voted no while the other voting members voted yes.
The policy aims to clarify roles and supports across school-based educational staff and licensed mental-health professionals, and adds provisions on school-based telehealth, crisis response ownership, and public education about Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). Board member Matt, who led the presentation, said the committee revised language to reduce duplication of roles and to ensure "each professional [can] collaborate to provide optimal services for students within each school and within the district." Board member Matt moved to submit the policy as written.
During discussion Vice President Bolton urged the committee to add a phrase — "as finances allow" — to the eight listed goals to make clear implementation depends on available funding. Bolton said, "I would like if it's possible, for the 8 goals that are listed, where appropriate ... as finances allow." The motion to amend was not accepted by the policy presenters, who said the committee had prioritized aligning work with district guardrails and needs-driven allocation rather than tying goals explicitly to future funding.
The policy adds or clarifies several operational details. It spells out that school-based telehealth services are a supplemental modality and "adhere to the same board policies, professional ethical standards, and legal obligations" as in-person services. The policy also specifies service-entry requirements for telehealth: "Students must have a referral, a signed informed consent, and have completed the clinical intake process by the partnering organization." Presenters also said the district's crisis response team will be the "owners" of critical-incident response procedures until a formal district crisis-response policy is adopted.
Board discussion also referenced other related board policies, including board policy 2257 on hate speech, which staff said they inserted early in the code to align equity- and conduct-related policies. After discussion the roll-call vote on adoption produced these recorded votes: Mr. Craig, yes; Mr. Crossett, yes; Mr. Lindy, yes; Miss Mapp, yes; Mrs. Weinberg, yes; Vice President Bolton, no; President Moffitt, yes. The motion carried and the board adopted policy 85-16.
Superintendent Murphy and staff thanked committee members and a list of staff who contributed to the policy writing and implementation planning. Staff said the policy's updates were intended to make district roles clearer and to expand community education about PBIS work so that families and school communities better understand supports and prevention strategies.
What happens next: staff said the policy will be posted and the district will continue planning implementation steps, including printed and electronic access for staff, families and community members and additional outreach about school-based telehealth procedures and consent requirements.
