Lakeside counselors continue district support; principals praise onsite staff

At the Jan. 8 Education Committee meeting, Lakeside Services staff reported continuing the same support model used in 2024–25 and a modest staffing increase for 2024–25: the district moved from 3.5 full-time equivalent counselors last year to four counselors this year.

Miss Brown presented the Lakeside report, saying Lakeside provides three to four student-support counselors who serve Penwood Middle School, the 9th Grade Academy and the Green Avenue campus. She summarized service metrics: Penwood had individual caseloads that reached 23 and currently show 15 active cases; the 9th Grade Academy reported as many as 110 individual sessions and 297 group counseling/regulation and intervention supports; Green Avenue reported 275 sessions and a student caseload of about 50 with up to 40 administrative and staff consultations.

A principal who joined the meeting, identified as Principal Pretlow, praised Lakeside staff while answering a direct question from Miss Brown. Pretlow said Lakeside staff "have been phenomenal assets to our community" and singled out a counselor: "Yes. That's Mister Pharrell. If I could clone him 15 times, I would." The praise was offered as the principal described Lakeside counseling as an important support for students and staff.

Miss Hall asked whether school staff are satisfied with Lakeside services; Miss Brown noted principals would provide further feedback later in the year, and the district said it will present a fuller set of findings in spring.

Presenters said Lakeside counselors lead individual and group counseling, mediation, regulation and intervention supports, and teacher consultations. The report noted student caseloads, session totals to date and a small staffing increase; no contract action or vote on Lakeside services was recorded during the committee meeting.