Peoria Unified studies licensure requirement for school social workers amid concerns about scope, funding and timelines

Peoria — Peoria Unified School District officials laid out the professional licensure routes and practical implications for school social workers and school mental health counselors at a Feb. 13 study session, describing multi‑step state requirements, potential costs and a tight timeline that could affect positions funded by a five‑year school safety grant.

The superintendent, Dr. Kevin Summers, and Chief Student Services Officer Jason Nuttall introduced district staff who explained current roles and the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners’ licensure processes. Shannon Threadgill and Nicole Gee summarized that initial licensure requires a master’s degree and a passing score on a national exam; clinical‑level licenses require two years of supervised clinical hours and additional testing. “The credentialist reviews each application by date submitted. All applications take 90 days up to 270 days for review,” Threadgill said of the Board’s timeline.

Why it matters: The district holds positions funded by a School Safety Program grant that expires in 2026. Several board members said they want any new district policy to comply with state law and not expose the district to liability (Board member Clark Tobey asked for legal review). Board members also raised practical concerns — whether existing positions can meet new licensure thresholds, how much time and money the transition would require, and what the district would do for students if employees do not obtain licensure quickly.

Key details from the presentation - Current staffing: administrators reported 33 positions funded under the school safety grant; about 10 of those staff hold state licensure today (district figures presented by Jason Nuttall). - Pathways: Threadgill described the sequence: master’s degree → apply to Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners → take the ASWB or counselor exam (costs were cited) → register as Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) or Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC). To reach the clinical LCSW or LPC level requires two years of supervised post‑master’s practice and 1,600 clinical hours plus supervision. - Timeline and cost pressure: review by the Board of Behavioral Health can take 90–270 days; Threadgill noted study time can be months, and the district estimated the potential application/licensing fees if the district assisted employees.

Discussion and concerns voiced at the meeting Board members pressed staff on three fronts: legal compliance, staffing continuity, and funding. Clerk Tobey said the issue is “getting the district to be in compliance with what state statute is.” Mrs. Proudfit and Mrs. Ewing warned that requiring clinical licensure could shrink the pool of candidates and leave vacancies unfilled.

Several board members asked about complaints or incidents that precipitated the policy discussion; Nuttall said there had been no formal complaints submitted to his office in the last two years but that staff handle many issues at the site level. Board members requested that the district’s legal counsel review whether current practice meets state law and requested executive‑session legal advice in a future meeting.

Implementation considerations outlined by staff District leaders said they plan further stakeholder engagement and will bring refined proposals back to the board. Staff noted choices the board must make about timing (for example, whether to expect licensure by July 1, 2025), whether the district will absorb application and testing costs for staff, and whether to design internship or supervision pathways locally. The district also said that current grant funding, which supports three field instructors, will be up for renewal in 2026 and that reauthorization or replacement funding would affect the staffing plan.

Public comments and community input Multiple public commenters and several board members emphasized practical concerns: parents and speakers described situations where students were seen by school staff without parental clarity about the service’s nature and questioned whether some school‑based activities resembled psychotherapy. Others urged the board to follow the law while ensuring students can access supports. Some staff and students urged caution about disrupting current supports that help with referrals and short‑term in‑school supports.

Next steps No policy was adopted. Board members asked for written legal advice on whether current district practice fully complies with Arizona law and requested that staff return with concrete policy drafts, cost estimates for covering licensure fees if the board prefers, and options for supervising clinicians or creating partnerships that could provide required supervisory hours.

Ending District staff said they will use the next weeks to gather additional data on how many current employees would seek licensure, the cost implications to the district, and potential grant strategies to sustain roles if licensure requirements change. Several board members signaled they expect the issue back on a near‑term agenda for legal review and possible first reading.