Board weighs a study of college‑and‑career counseling after parents report gaps in communication

Superintendent Neil English and administrators told the board the district’s junior–senior high counselor caseload stands at roughly 210 students per counselor, below the county mean and the American School Counselor Association benchmark. The presentation recommended holding the current counseling structure for the coming year while conducting targeted operational reviews, peer comparisons and stakeholder input to determine whether a dedicated college‑and‑career counselor is needed.

"Riverview currently stands at a caseload of 210 to 1," the superintendent said, citing district data and county comparisons. Administrators recommended several immediate next steps: an operational review of counselors’ time and duties, peer benchmarking through professional organizations, and a stakeholder engagement plan to gather parent and student feedback. The administration proposed reporting initial steps and progress at the October study session and returning a fuller recommendation in spring 2027.

Parents at the meeting described practical problems with communication about application deadlines, fee waivers and programs such as SAT prep. A parent who said they were "paying the application fees" for multiple students urged regular, grade‑specific communications and simple timelines so juniors and seniors know key milestones. Administrators responded that some short‑term fixes — for example, automated emails and a parent‑focused kickoff for each grade level — could be implemented while the deeper operational review proceeds.

The board requested a phased approach: immediate communication improvements for the coming semester, a pilot or interim steps to assist current seniors, and a fuller study to determine whether a new dedicated position is warranted. The district will provide an initial progress update in October and a fuller set of recommendations in spring 2027.