Board hears Social Emotional Learning presentation; trustees press for measurable counselor metrics

The Valley View ISD Board of Trustees heard a presentation April 13 on the district's Social Emotional Learning (SEL) program and counseling structure from At-Risk & Safety Administrator Isaias Vidal and counselor Leslie Guerra.

Vidal described the district's counseling tiers and the four service-delivery components of the Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling—guidance curriculum, responsive services, individual planning and system support—and outlined current partnerships, calm-down/sensory-room approaches and proposed measurable goals. "Counseling Components and Non-Counseling Duties" and the "Texas Evaluation Model for Professional School Counselors" were listed among staff materials presented to the board.

Board members pressed staff on operational details and measurement. In a round of questions, trustees asked: "How can we standardize the counselor’s duties across the board, instead of each campus being different based on principal?" and "How can we ensure that we comply with the 80%? Indicate what 20% you feel should go into administrative duties," echoing a concern to clarify how counselor time will be allocated and reported.

The presentation included a list of proposed initiatives and "proposed measurable goals" for counseling services; board members requested that future reports translate those goals into student-level outcomes and participation metrics. Trustees also asked for clearer districtwide ratios of students served by athletics and counseling, and for tracking that links services to student outcomes.

The board did not take action on the presentation; staff were directed to provide more detailed, measurable metrics at a future meeting.