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Parents, clinicians and students urge board to preserve wellness, counseling and mentorship programs amid staffing cuts
Summary
Multiple community members told the Belleville Board of Education that reductions to wellness, bilingual mental health and counseling supports risk students' wellbeing; speakers asked the board to reconsider staffing moves and verify certifications for proposed director roles.
Multiple parents, students and local clinicians used the district's public comment period at the June 10 Belleville Board of Education meeting to urge the board to preserve the wellness office, Building Men and the Uplift mentorship program and to scrutinize recent staffing decisions.
Chanel Durant, who identified herself as a licensed mental health clinician and a parent, said Building Men and Uplift ‘‘have never been photo ops. They have been programs that have been transformational experiences that have changed lives for students and staff,” and warned that recent reductions appear to target bilingual mental-health and ESL supports in a district with a large Hispanic student population.
Several speakers raised personnel and certification concerns. Michael Sheldon, a resident who spoke twice during the meeting, said the individual selected to serve as director of counseling may not hold the specific state certification required for that role and urged the board to verify qualifications. "I don't think this person at this point in time can serve in this capacity," Sheldon said, citing New Jersey Administrative Code provisions and offering to share his notes with the board. The board responded that it cannot discuss personnel in public but later indicated credentials are checked for positions.
Student government and other student speakers also urged the board to consider the student impact of reassignments. Darra, a student and student-government leader, asked trustees to reconsider a principal reassignment, saying continuity matters for school stability.
Union and community representatives pressed the district on transparency around recent staff non-rehires and budget claims. Mike Young, speaking as an education-association leader, said the union counted 42 educators and support staff not rehired for 2026–27 and called for fuller budget transparency.
Board officials repeatedly told speakers that personnel matters must be handled in closed session when required by law, and that the district follows credential verification processes for certified positions. The board did not change any personnel decisions during the meeting; trustees scheduled a June 16 special session to continue reviewing staffing and allocations.
The public record from June 10 shows community concern about program cuts and the need for clearer public explanations of credentialing, budget choices and the decision process for reassignments.
