PVPUSD trustees hear detailed update on student mental‑health supports as parents praise services and press for clearer data

District staff presented a comprehensive update on student wellness and mental‑health supports at the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District board meeting on Nov. 13, 2024, detailing programs from universal classroom lessons to individualized SAGE counseling and next steps on suicide‑prevention training. Dr. Wildey, the district’s lead presenter, and Eliza Santa Rosa, counselor on special assignment, described a multi‑tiered system of support (MTSS) in which Tier 1 reaches all students and Tier 3 provides individualized services for the highest‑need pupils. They said the district employs about 20 school psychologists and continues to expand short‑term SAGE counseling alongside existing programs such as Second Step, PBIS and a newly piloted Olweus anti‑bullying program.

Board members heard both praise and criticism during an extended public comment period. Carla McCauley thanked the district for early interventions that helped her child, saying the counseling “led us to do ADHD evaluation and have a 504” and that in‑class and individual services helped her son recover academically. Student speakers and a child psychologist described positive uses of classroom social‑emotional lessons and recommended reducing stigma so more students voluntarily use counseling resources.

At the same time, several parents raised concerns about program oversight and clarity. Joan Davidson asked why the district spends “$1,000,000 a year” on the SAGE contract and questioned use of interns in campus counseling; Kim Taylor, the district’s executive director of student services, clarified that SAGE therapists do not participate in Section 504 eligibility determinations and the district obtains parental consent before services. Board members repeatedly asked staff to define measurable goals and avoid duplicative programming; Board Member Hamill said the written counseling goal felt “nebulous” and urged staff to produce benchmarks that justify public spending.

Staff responded with data and next steps. Presenters showed California Healthy Kids Survey results for grades surveyed and explained SAGE referral drivers (teachers, parents, self‑referral via wellness centers) and consent protocols: “we go above the law and get parent consent for all students we see,” a staff member said. They reported SAGE session averages and referral counts (SAGE referrals and sessions recorded districtwide; Hazel Health virtual mental‑health referrals numbered under 20 this year). The presentation also outlined plans for a task force to revise suicide‑prevention lessons with parent and student input and to offer QPR staff training; staff said they would consider making lesson materials more available to parents.

The board requested follow‑up on specific items including: (1) whether programs overlap and where lessons can be streamlined; (2) a clear metric framework for measuring outcomes and ‘return on investment’ for mental‑health spending; (3) a parent‑preview process for lessons; and (4) steps to increase student awareness and reduce stigma around seeking help. Superintendent Dr. Serrano and staff said they would return with more precise measurement proposals and a timeline for parent engagement, while recognizing the need to balance privacy and consent. The discussion ended with board members thanking students, staff and parents for the community input and asking staff to bring more detailed benchmarks to a future meeting.