Education policy committee adds student‑mental‑health amendment and forwards platform to full board

The Education Policy Committee voted on Tuesday evening to add a sentence supporting evidence‑based approaches to student mental health to its legislative platform and to forward the platform, as amended, to the full State Board of Education.

Board member Mister Greer proposed adding language to the student mental‑health section directing that "our schools should employ restorative practices as an evidence based strategy to foster the development of a positive school climate." Committee members debated whether to name a single approach or to keep the wording broader; several members argued for action‑oriented language that would ensure teachers and administrators have the tools to support student self‑regulation and healthy school climates.

After discussion, a motion to add the amendment was moved and seconded. Chair McCusker called the vote; several members said "aye," and the chair said, "Looks to me like it passed unanimously." The committee then moved to recommend adoption of the legislative platform, as amended, to the full board for its meeting on Tuesday.

Committee members also discussed a separate, procedural proposal that would ask the full board to delegate authority during the legislative session to the committee to make recommendations to the state board president and vice president for approval when timing requires action between full board meetings. Members raised questions about how the full board would remain included in such decisions; the committee agreed to move the delegation proposal to the full board for consideration.

The committee will deliver the amended platform and the delegation motion to the State Board of Education at its upcoming meeting. The platform text will be distributed to board members before that meeting, staff said.