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Community representative urges more mental-health staffing at Manatee schools
Summary
A public commenter representing the nonprofit Stream told the board the district's ratios of counselors, social workers and psychologists to students are too high and suggested hiring staff who can focus on assessment and direct mental-health services.
Shannon Jung, speaking for the nonprofit Stream, urged the School Board of Manatee County on Feb. 28 to address youth mental-health staffing levels and assessment processes in district schools.
"We are distressed at the high ratios of student counselors social workers and psychologists to students in the Manatee County Schools," Jung told the board during the workshop's public-comment period.
Jung told the board she believes many counselors are tasked with auxiliary duties, including coordinating testing, and suggested hiring a dedicated testing coordinator to free counselors and social workers to meet directly with students. "If we had a testing coordinator that would in effect free up counselors, social workers to meet directly with students," she said.
Jung also called for clearer processes for assessing mental-health and behavioral issues and for adding staff who can address those concerns within existing funding guidelines. She expressed willingness to help advocate and work with the district on the issue.
The remarks appeared in the workshop's opening public-comment slot; no formal board action was taken in response during the workshop. District staff later discussed broader budget and staffing items during the Citizens Financial Oversight Committee report.
Ending: Jung thanked the board for the opportunity to comment and said Stream would continue to engage with school officials about youth mental health.
