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Parent urges Fullerton board to add counselors after La Mirada Vista raises alarm
Summary
A parent and educator told trustees that La Mirada Vista Junior High has one counselor for over 700 students, far above the ASCA recommendation of 1:250, and urged the board to prioritize counselor hires in the 2026–27 budget.
During public comment at the Fullerton School District board meeting on May 19, parent and educator Mike Rodriguez pressed trustees to increase counselor staffing at La Mirada Vista Junior High.
"There is only one counselor at La Mirada Vista Junior High School for over 700 students. To me that’s unacceptable," Rodriguez said, citing the American School Counselor Association recommendation of one counselor per 250 students. "How can one counselor maintain contact with over 700-plus students a year and make sure they aren’t falling behind?"
Rodriguez, who said he teaches in Orange County, told the board counselor caseloads can be a matter of life and death for students experiencing crises and asked the board to prioritize counselors in next year’s budget. He said the district where he works targets ratios nearer 350:1 but advocated for smaller caseloads.
Board members thanked Rodriguez for raising the issue. District staff and trustees noted mental-health supports are part of ongoing wellness work and that hiring priorities will be considered during budget planning for 2026–27.
