Board ratifies one‑year MOU with Southwest Behavioral and Health Services; two trustees abstain
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Summary
Peoria Unified ratified a memorandum of understanding with Southwest Behavioral and Health Services for district‑based counseling services through June 30, 2025. The board approved the MOU with a 3‑yea, 2‑abstain vote; trustees who abstained cited questions about contractual details and the district’s licensing policy for on‑campus providers.
Peoria Unified’s governing board ratified a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Southwest Behavioral and Health Services Thursday to continue on‑campus counseling services through June 30, 2025.
Superintendent Daniel Summers said the MOU reflects a short‑term arrangement (August 1, 2024–June 30, 2025 as drafted for the meeting item) designed to provide clinical services on campus while the district explores longer‑term options. Board members asked whether the clinicians would meet district licensure expectations; Summers and district staff confirmed that the MOU was revised to include licensure language at the board’s prior direction.
Board action and vote: The motion to approve and ratify the MOU passed with three trustees voting yes and two trustees (President Rooks and Mrs. Bowles) abstaining. The abstentions were noted in the meeting record; trustees said they wanted additional clarity on certain terms and on the district’s broader approach to contracted school‑based behavioral health vendors.
Why it mattered: Trustees and public commenters said the district faces immediate student mental‑health needs — including increased caseloads flagged in public comment — and that contracted school‑based services can fill gaps when district social workers are not available. Public commenters at the meeting emphasized the need for continued services and the role of on‑campus access in reducing barriers such as transportation, scheduling and stigma.
Follow‑up and next steps: Board members asked administration to report back on options for competitive procurement (including issuing an RFP for on‑campus mental‑health providers), potential rental agreements for after‑school services and the process for ensuring contracted providers meet district licensing and policy requirements. The district will include licensure confirmation in the MOU language and said it will bring procurement options to the board in a future meeting.
Sources: Superintendent’s presentation and MOU on the agenda; public comment and board roll‑call vote in the official meeting record.