Hunterdon Central rejects CarePlus contract amid dispute over long-running school-based counseling

The Hunterdon Central Regional High School Board of Education on Aug. 18 declined to approve a professional-services contract for CarePlus counseling services after more than an hour of public comment and board discussion about the district’s long-running school-based counseling programs.

Superintendent Jessica Candelosi Haid told the board earlier in the meeting that the district had not reached an agreement with Hunterdon Behavioral Health to continue the School-Based Youth Services (SBYS) program for the 2025–26 school year. She said the administration had worked with Hunterdon Behavioral Health and the New Jersey Department of Children and Families but “we have not come to an agreement to continue those particular services at this time.”

Public speakers urged the board to maintain on-campus clinical supports. Resident Ronald Levy told the board he had gathered a petition supporting CarePlus with “425 signatories” in three days, and said: “Care plus is a vital part of the school based youth services offered alongside traditional assistance counseling.”

Several students, parents, teachers and community leaders described personal experiences they said…