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Parents press Manassas Park schools on mental health supports, vaping and Care Solace
Summary
At public comment, Jessica Benitez asked when Care Solace was introduced, urged more student‑focused mental health work and said parents needed clearer communications; the board noted staff would follow up and investigate the concerns.
During the public‑comment portion of the meeting, Jessica Benitez raised several concerns about student mental health supports and substance use at schools, asking for clarity about when the district began offering Care Solace and how the district handles suspected drug use and potential child‑protective issues.
Benitez said she had attended the district's opioid awareness event and was disappointed by aspects of the presentation. She cited a Virginia Department of Criminal Justice figure suggesting nearly "50 percent of our students are saying that they are experiencing depression, anxiety," and said she had observed students who appeared under the influence on campus: "I can smell weed, you know, and I can see kids with glossy eyes." Benitez asked whether CPS reports had been filed in relevant cases and asked how concerns originating with nurses or staff are escalated.
The chair thanked Benitez for coming and staff indicated Dr. Saunders (district staff) would work with staff to address questions and provide a timely response, although no specific follow‑up timeline or case details were provided in the record. Benitez also raised concerns about parent‑involvement procedures for the recently formed PTSO and restrictions on lunchtime fundraising, asking for clearer communications to parents.
Later in public comment, Charlie Langford asked the board to make course labeling clearer for students and families after an incident where a seventh‑grade course affected a freshman GPA; Langford also asked for transparency about how extracurricular funds and transportation might support additional elementary programs.
The board invited commenters to email the board office and asked staff to confirm receipt of submitted materials; staff encouraged Benitez and other commenters to forward documents so staff could respond.
Because commenters raised operational and safety questions, the board pledged staff follow‑up rather than immediate action during public comment.
