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District presents counseling expansion: 23,000 touchpoints, new programs and a 302:1 counselor ratio
Summary
Program director Stephanie Martinez told the board the district made more than 23,000 counseling touchpoints this year, is near a 302:1 counselor-to-student average versus the recommended 250:1, and highlighted climate improvements, Safe School Ambassadors training and new food offerings tied to student belonging.
District program director Stephanie Martinez presented a student services update that emphasized expanding counseling services and social-emotional learning across Jefferson Elementary School District sites.
Martinez said the professional recommendation for counselors is one counselor per 250 students; the district’s current average is about one per 302 students. She said the department documented more than 23,000 "touch points" this year — interactions that range from whole-class SEL lessons to small-group interventions and individual sessions — and described work to shift from reactive to preventive supports.
Presenters highlighted site-level initiatives: Westlake reported an 88% sense-of-belonging score on the Panorama survey (a 21 percentage-point increase year over year) and a "kindness crew" and buddy-bench program; TRP counselors reported 475 self-referrals this year and robust restorative-practices work. Martinez also described efforts with Food Services to introduce culturally relevant menu items; she said chicken pho at TRP sold out in minutes and the department is working to add popular items to regular menus when feasible.
Trustees praised the counseling staff and student-led programs and asked about resources for students in foster care or involved with juvenile justice; Martinez said counselors act as a key support and case-manager liaison for those students and the department provides referrals and wraparound services as needed. Trustees also thanked staff for securing competitive grants, and the superintendent noted the department will present committee recommendations later in the budget cycle.
The presentation listed several program supports (Safe School Ambassadors grant training for student leaders, partnerships with San Francisco State for athletics outreach and peer-led clubs) and noted that some services — particularly grants — are one-time funds and therefore harder to count on for ongoing budget planning.
