Counseling program reports lower suicide-risk assessments; district readies April bond for facilities and security

Counseling department leaders told the Grain Valley R‑V School District board that several student-support measures are showing promising trends and that community partnerships have expanded capacity, while district administrators reported progress on a facilities bond that will appear on the April ballot.

Presenters for the counseling program described a suite of services—school-based therapy partnerships, a revised college-and-career approach and a district advisory council—and said about 180 students are currently seen through outside partners. They reported that SOS (Signs of Suicide) assessments and some suicide-risk metrics have trended down in recent years; the presenters said the district had 99 SOS assessments last year.

The counseling team outlined new or expanded activities including a larger college fair, the VUE scholarship opt-in tied to enrollment, and an advisory council to guide counseling programming and MTSS tiered supports. Board members asked about counselor-to-student ratios and whether more counselor FTEs or alternate supports (family-school liaisons, partnerships) would be appropriate; administration said staffing priorities are constrained by budget and special-education caseloads.

Separately, administration updated the board on CSIP priorities and bond planning. District leaders said the board-approved bond language has been submitted to Jackson County for the April ballot; planned projects include a middle-school addition, athletic facility expansion and districtwide security upgrades. Administration said outreach to staff and the community is underway.

What's next: counseling leaders will continue to monitor and report assessment trends and implementation of partnerships; administration will continue community engagement and return bond materials or action items as required by election deadlines.