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Board members urge caution on counselor and social‑worker cuts
Summary
Board members expressed concern about proposed reductions to school counselors and a district social worker, saying mental-health supports are a top stakeholder priority and asking staff to reconsider which positions to protect.
Several board members pressed staff to rethink proposals that would reduce counseling and social‑work capacity. The superintendent's plan would reduce middle‑school counselors from four to three and eliminate one district social worker (from two to one contracted social worker). Miss Hausam said the change "is a pretty wide — that's a big difference" and asked the board to consider holding some positions until later phases if possible.
Another board member noted the survey underscored strong concern for mental‑health supports; a colleague said she might "lean towards a social worker" because only one currently serves the districtwide caseload. Dr. Ryba asked for a board reduction target and said staff would return with refined recommendations and scheduling details at the next meeting so the board can weigh tradeoffs between counseling, co‑taught services and other classroom protections.
