Committee hears bill to keep 1:300 counselor standard but add ‘reasonable effort’ flexibility

Summary

Lawmakers and school officials discussed House Bill 1449, which asks districts to make a ‘‘reasonable effort’’ to maintain a 1 counselor per 300-student ratio and to document compliance; counselors, administrators and school-board representatives described shortages in rural areas and proposed phrasing amendments but no vote was taken.

Chairman Heinert opened the House Education Committee hearing on House Bill 1449, which would keep North Dakota’s existing 1 counselor per 300-student target while adding language requiring districts to ‘‘make a reasonable effort’’ and to document that effort.

The measure matters, supporters said, because the state struggles to meet counselor staffing targets and districts face recruitment and budget constraints. Representative Jennifer Jonas, bill sponsor, told the committee the change aims to preserve the ratio while giving districts flexibility to respond to local staffing realities.

"Currently, North Dakota has a mandate for K‑12 school counseling counselors at 1 counselor to every 300 students," Jonas said, noting the state currently reports about one counselor for every 289 students and that 35…

Committee hears bill to keep 1:300 counselor standard but add ‘reasonable effort’ flexibility

Summary

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