Parent urges Marple Newtown School Board to add licensed mental-health support in emotional support room

Bridal McGee, a resident of 3434 Tyson Road in Newtown Square, used the public-comment period at the Feb. 24 Marple Newtown School Board meeting to ask the district for more support for students with mental-health issues. She said the district’s emotional support room is intended for students in crisis to isolate and regulate but currently has "no one who is professionally trained to deal with kids who are dealing with a mental health issue."

McGee described the district’s current sequence for handling on-campus crises — staff first attempt outreach through guidance counselors and teachers, then contact parents only if the situation "gets bad enough." "I don't think anybody knows their child better than the parent, so I think the first person who should be contacted is the parent," she said, urging the board to consider changing that practice and to place licensed, trained staff in the emotional support room to help students return to class more quickly.

The board thanked McGee for her comments but did not record a formal response or commitment to action during the meeting. No motions or staff assignments related to the comment were recorded on the agenda. The meeting proceeded to other public comments and reports.