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Board approves new K–12 mental‑health coordinator and student‑success coordinator roles funded by grants
Summary
The Richland Bean Blossom Community School Corporation board voted to create a full‑time K–12 mental‑health coordinator and rework existing student‑services roles into EPS/EIS student‑success coordinators, funded primarily by SMART and SEEDS grants. Members asked for a budget breakdown and a future report detailing staff responsibilities and student contact time.
The Richland Bean Blossom Community School Corporation board voted in June to add a full‑time K–12 mental‑health coordinator and to convert existing student‑services roles into EPS and EIS student‑success coordinators, moves administration says will strengthen behavioral and mental‑health supports across the district.
Superintendent Dr. Sanders told the board the reorganized roles are intended to centralize grant management and program oversight, free principals to focus on instruction, and provide more hands‑on behavioral support at the elementary level. "We have a significant mental‑health team that continues to evolve," Sanders said, adding that the coordinator position would be paid from the SMART grant and that the student‑success roles would be funded by existing SMART allocations and internal transfers.
Board members supported the goal but pressed administration for financial clarity. One member asked for a detailed breakdown of remaining balances in the SMART and SEEDS grants and for an organizational flowchart showing who does what and how much time staff spend in direct student contact versus administrative duties. Sanders agreed to present those materials at a future meeting.
Board members also raised sustainability concerns because the positions rely heavily on federal grant funding. "If three years from now a grant runs out and we're also tightening the budget, that's a difficult situation," one board member said. Administration responded that they are pursuing grant funding actively and will identify district funding strategies if grants change.
The motion to approve the two agenda items (items 7 and 8 on the packet) was moved and seconded; the board approved the actions by voice vote. The meeting record does not include a roll‑call vote or a named mover on the transcript. The board asked administration to return with grant balance details and a simple organogram that clarifies duties and student‑facing time.
Why it matters: District leaders said the new structure is intended to increase capacity for students who need behavioral and mental‑health support while protecting instructional time. Members’ requests for budget details reflect concern about the long‑term fiscal sustainability of positions funded primarily by time‑limited grants.
Next steps: Administration will provide a written breakdown of grant balances, a staffing flowchart, and a report on the mental‑health team's caseload and time allocation at a future board meeting.
