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SMCPS outlines staffing gaps for counselors, psychologists and social workers as grants sunset
Summary
District staff told the board that counselors, psychologists, PPWs and school social workers fall short of national recommendations; grants that funded many positions are ending and the district estimated multimillion‑dollar needs to meet recommended ratios.
District staff presented a staffing overview on March 4 that quantified shortfalls across multiple student‑services roles and described the budget implications as grant funding sunsets.
Director of Student Services Mr. Drenza (speaker 14) said the district currently has 48 counselors (an average of one counselor per 393 elementary students) and estimated SMCPS would need 18 additional counselors at a recurring cost of about $1,800,000 to reach the American School Counselor Association’s recommended 1:250 ratio. He said pupil personnel workers (PPWs) are roughly within the recommended 1:2,000 ratio on average but that two PPWs are concentrated at high‑need schools; removing those positions leaves shortages elsewhere.
On school psychologists, staff reported 14 psychologists (about 1:1,184 students) versus the National Association of School Psychologists’ recommended 1:500. To achieve that recommended ratio the district estimated hiring 18 additional school psychologists at an approximate recurring cost of $1,800,000.
School social workers grew through competitive grants (STOP, ESSER, Stronger Connections and concentration‑of‑poverty funds); the presentation said several positions were grant‑funded and would become unfunded as those grants sunset. Staff reported that maintaining the current 14 social‑worker positions without grant support would require roughly $1,000,000 in recurring local funds, while meeting the ASCA‑type 1:250 aspirational ratio across the district would require about 66 social‑worker positions at an estimated recurring cost of $6,600,000.
Staff discussed billing options (Medicaid reimbursement) but cautioned those revenues would be limited; district forecasts suggested full Medicaid billing might net under $200,000 annually—enough to fund roughly one certificated position but far short of the total need. Trustees and the superintendent discussed continued pursuit of grant funds, the difficulty of filling specialized roles due to statewide shortages (notably school psychologists), and the tradeoffs of reallocating certificated FTEs or cutting positions to cover recurring costs.
Quote: “We would need 18 additional school counselors at a cost of $1,800,000 to fully realize the 1 to 250 recommended ASCA ratio,” Mr. Drenza said, summarizing the district’s estimate.
What’s next: staff will continue to seek grants and will incorporate these staffing needs into budget discussions with the county commissioners.
