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Social worker urges district to examine causes of declining enrollment, protect supports
Summary
A REY Academy social worker told the board declining enrollment requires analysis of root causes and emphasized that equity requires protecting services like counseling and music when budgets tighten.
Ali Appleton, a social worker for REY Academy middle-school students, told the board that removing essential services severs connections that keep students engaged. She urged the district to examine why enrollment is declining and to base budget decisions on updated community data rather than only reacting to consequences.
Appleton said many families are struggling with basic needs and that when those needs are unmet student engagement suffers. She framed equity as more than language: "When crucial services are removed so is that connection," she said, and urged the board to consider what is necessary to sustain students and families relying on these supports.
