Committee approves plan to create three district social-worker positions by repurposing counselor FTEs

The Policy & Personnel Committee voted to forward a proposal to establish a three-person district school social-work team by repurposing existing counselor FTEs and using one vacant student-services FTE.

Katie Eichmann and Lynette (Student Services program support) presented data and rationale for adding social workers to address growing family and community needs and to relieve school counselors, who are serving broad academic and social-emotional duties. Eichmann said the proposal would transfer one elementary counselor position to a district-wide school social worker and one high-school counselor position to a social work position based on projected enrollment; she described those transfers as “a cost neutral move.” Eichmann also proposed using a currently vacant student services FTE to create the third social-worker position.

Presenters said school social-work salaries are eligible for state reimbursement beginning the year after hire; the discussion cited projected reimbursement rates and the variability of federal and state funding. A committee member asked whether reimbursement included special-education or other funding streams; presenters said reimbursement rates fluctuate and the cited figures are projections.

Committee members discussed staffing ratios, how to avoid spreading social workers too thin across many buildings, and plans to prioritize assignment to higher-need schools and to preserve team-based work across feeder schools. A committee member remarked that social workers improve continuity for families across middle and high school. The committee voted by voice to forward the staffing proposal to the full board for approval; hiring and final assignments will follow board action and candidate selection.

Staff said that once positions are filled the district will monitor workload and reassign or add positions if data indicate the team is overextended.