Guidance department rolls out School Links and SchoolAI; counselors flag caseload and mental‑health metrics

The district’s guidance team presented its work and new technology tools to the regional committee on Jan. 21, outlining how counselors support academic, social‑emotional and post‑secondary planning and introducing School Links and SchoolAI as core tools.

Lisa Connery, chair of the guidance department, explained that counselors generally retain students throughout the four‑year high‑school experience and that current caseloads average about 185 students per counselor, which she said aligns with national association guidance. ‘‘Students stay with their counselor all 4 years,’’ Connery told the committee.

Denise Brienzi described the district’s transition from Naviance to School Links, which integrates career exploration, interest inventories, resume building and an opportunities board that can list internships and community service. Counselors reported that tenth‑grade onboarding has begun and juniors will be onboarded next week.

Emily Branch described controlled, in‑school use of SchoolAI in workshops for mock interviews, career exploration and personalized prompts. ‘‘It’s not just a worksheet they’re filling out,’’ Branch said, adding that counselors monitor student interactions through an administrative dashboard so staff can follow up where needed.

Committee members pressed for metrics: how many students the counselors have yet to meet, usage and outcome statistics for the new platforms, and evidence that the tools improve student outcomes. Counselors said School Links includes analytics on usage and that they have transferred historical Naviance data into the new system.

Board members also discussed mental‑health trends and program review work. Administration said the district uses state‑level health data and internal screening to target supports, and noted program review work across departments to better coordinate academic expectations and reduce anxiety where possible.

The committee asked the guidance team to bring back metrics after the first year of School Links and SchoolAI implementation, including participation and outcome measures that the district can use in its program review.