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Public commenter urges WESLACO ISD to improve counselor responsiveness after delayed follow-up
Summary
During public comment, Diera Garza said she called a counselor and social worker about a student's mental-health needs and received no follow-up; she urged the district to ensure counselors act promptly rather than adding more positions.
During the public comment period, local resident Diera Garza told trustees she had personally followed up on a mental-health referral and that the counselor and social worker did not contact the student's parent in a timely manner. Garza said the district should prioritize effective follow-up and communication rather than simply adding more counselor positions.
"We don't need more counselors," she said. "We need the counselors to do their job, continue doing their job... We need to be serious about when it comes to mental health intervention." Garza also criticized what she described as inappropriate use of truancy withdrawals rather than pursuing court referrals as a last option.
Board members thanked her for the comment; trustees and administration later discussed mental-health positions and staff attrition during the superintendent's report and pledged to monitor services and ensure timely intervention.
