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Board hears overview of district counseling services and new initiatives across Kearney schools
Summary
District staff detailed counseling program structure, staff assignments across school levels, classroom and small-group interventions, crisis response, and new activities such as the Northland Youth Leadership Summit; board members praised staff and asked operational questions about coordination and staffing.
A district presenter described the Kearney R‑I counseling program, its staffing and responsibilities across schools, and recent initiatives meant to support student social-emotional learning and college/career readiness.
The presenter listed counselors working at each level and outlined primary duties: classroom lessons and tiered interventions for younger students, small-group and individual counseling, crisis intervention, assessment coordination, and secondary-level work on course planning and career pathways. She said counselors also partner with social workers and outside agencies to expand career pathways for juniors and seniors.
"The primary core function of a counselor is to remove barriers for students in the academic, social, emotional, behavioral...hurdles that might come their way," the presenter said. She highlighted district practices such as "huddle up" activities at the middle school, the zones-of-regulation curriculum at elementary levels, problem-solving teams to accelerate interventions, and sending groups to the Northland Youth Leadership Summit.
Trustees asked about workload, staffing ratios, and how counseling coordinates with classroom teachers; the presenter said counselors provide pull-in/pull-out services and consult with teachers, and they conduct yearly meetings with every high-school student to support postsecondary planning. Trustees thanked counselors and administrators for their work and expressed support for continued investment in social-emotional programming.
No formal action was taken; the presentation was informational and the board offered questions and encouragement to counseling staff.
