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Board approves grant-funded mental-health counselor after debate about candidate qualifications
Summary
Trustees approved a contract with a third-party provider to supply a grant-funded K-5 mental-health counselor; Trustee Bush raised concerns the candidate's background was more adult-focused, while district leaders said the candidate met the grant's master's-level counselor requirement and the interview team supported the hire.
The Madison District Public Schools Board of Education approved a contract to secure a grant-funded mental-health counselor through a third-party provider after trustees questioned whether the proposed candidate—est matched the K-5 population.
The item was presented as a contract with a provider (listed in the agenda as "Solent"). Trustee Bush objected in discussion, saying the identified candidate "is not a social worker" and raised concerns that much of the candidate's experience had been with adult populations rather than early-childhood K-5 students. Bush said the district lacked comparative bids and questioned whether the candidate had play-therapy or child-focused clinical experience.
Superintendent Perry clarified that the agenda language was corrected in the meeting: the hire is for a grant-funded mental-health counselor rather than a school social worker. Mr. Aon Andre, director of special education and a member of the interview team, described the candidate's credentials and the interview process. Andre said the candidate holds a master's-level counseling credential required by the grant, is a licensed professional counselor, and has certifications including training in rational emotive behavioral therapy and a Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment rating, and that interview case scenarios met the committee's expectations.
Trustees asked whether the counselor would conduct functional behavior assessments and behavior intervention plans (FBA/BIP) as part of special-education processes; Andre said the counselor would support those processes but would not lead special-education FBA/BIP work, which remains under special-education leadership. Trustees also noted the district currently employs three school social workers; the contracted counselor would be an adjunct resource funded through a grant.
Following discussion, the board approved the contract by roll-call vote. Trustee concerns about candidate fit were recorded in the meeting transcript; the record shows trustees voted in favor of the contract.
