Board approves grant-funded mental health interventionist position for Mountain View Elementary

The Monongalia County Schools Board of Education on Jan. 14 approved a new, grant-funded mental health interventionist position that will be itinerant and home-based at Mountain View Elementary School.

District staff said the position is funded by a state grant of about $75,000 and is intended to expand therapeutic interventions and de-escalation supports that teachers are not trained to provide. The superintendent recommended approval; the board carried the motion by voice vote.

Donna (staff member) told the board the award is a state grant "around 75,000," and that the district had asked for more funding but the award will cover the new hire's employment. Staff described the role as a 200-day, full-time position; the job posting will seek candidates with relevant credentials in therapeutic interventions, such as counselors or social workers. "We're looking for credentials that do therapeutic interventions," a staff member said. The district said the role is not a classroom teaching position, and that similar grant-funded positions currently operate at another school in the district.

Board members were told the grant spans three years and that the district planned to post and hire quickly if approved. The board voted to authorize the position; staff said the posting would be opened immediately.

Ending paragraph: The board recorded no detailed vote tally in the public record; staff said the grant will cover the position for the grant term and that the district expects the position to support behavioral interventions and emotional regulation services at targeted schools.