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Nursing students urge mental‑health supports; calls for humidifiers, culturally responsive counselors
Summary
Five public commenters — predominantly Heritage University nursing students — urged the district to expand student mental‑health supports, bilingual/culturally responsive counselors, early screening and classroom humidifiers to reduce asthma impacts during wildfire seasons; a retired educator raised concerns about administrative staffing and curriculum.
At the second public‑comment period on Oct. 21 five speakers addressed student wellbeing and district priorities.
Serenity Benoit, a senior nursing student at Heritage University and Eisenhower graduate, urged districtwide self‑care workshops and earlier social‑emotional instruction, citing national increases in anxiety and depression since 2020 and research on stress impacts on youth brain development. She said mindfulness and coping skills helped her in college and could benefit K–12 students.
Crystal Perez and Cassandra Zanil (both Heritage nursing students) urged expanded school‑based mental‑health supports, including additional counselors or psychologists with clinical training, bilingual and culturally responsive services for Hispanic and immigrant families, early screening, clear referral pathways and peer supports. Zanil cited local data showing elevated rates of eighth‑grade sadness/hopelessness and suicidal consideration and recommended on‑site psychologists at every school.
Angela Marin (Heritage senior nurse) testified about respiratory impacts from wildfire smoke and urged the district to consider portable humidifiers to improve indoor air comfort and reduce asthma exacerbations; she referenced guidance from the American Lung Association about humidification and air quality measures.
Retired educator Steve McKenna questioned district financial priorities, suggested reducing administrative staffing and restoring librarians, and urged smaller K–3 class sizes to improve student support; he linked staffing choices to long‑term budget and academic outcomes.
Board members thanked speakers; no board action was taken that evening but the issues were discussed as part of broader health, safety and budget conversations.
