BERKELEY – As staff positions providing social emotional care for students were dissolved, a student went to bat for them. However, officials said that the guidance office in the upcoming year will be strengthened.
A resolution passed at a recent Central Regional Board of Education meeting that eliminated two “Social Emotional Learning positions” and three teaching positions.
A student at the high school spoke in favor of Dr. (Sarah) Campbell and Ms. (Shenijah) Curtis. Although the student identified herself during the meeting, this newspaper does not name students referring to personal matters.
“This school would fall apart without her,” the student said. “Ms. Curtis is the only counselor I can come to. I am disappointed, angered…I am practically begging you.”
School officials don’t always respond to speakers during meetings. Superintendent Dr. Michelle CarneyRay-Yoder told The Berkeley Times after the meeting that these supports for students aren’t going away, they will just look different in the new year. The district is going to enhance the guidance department for 2024-2025.
Earlier in the meeting, she read a statement explaining the decision in more detail. The positions were funded by grants tied to COVID-19. These grants are no longer available.
“Nevertheless, we are committed to making mental health services a continued priority and sustainable in our day-to-day operations and programming,” she said.
“Our students’ social and emotional health is of the utmost importance. This program is not just a part of our district’s offerings; it is a testament to our commitment to fostering a supportive and nurturing environment for our students. I want to reassure all of you that student social and emotional health will not only remain in the district, but also thrive as a fundamental part of our offerings. In addition to providing a continuum of services in the district with our personnel, we also offer additional resources to support our students and families, such as InSite Health (mental health therapy and psychiatric services), HelpMe K-12 (resources, help text line, and link to ask for help), and others currently in development,” she said.
“While the (social-emotional learning) program may change to adapt to our new reality, it is not going away. We are exploring ways to restructure and sustain this program so that it continues to meet the needs of our students in the most effective way possible,” she said.
“In conclusion, the district’s leadership is dedicated to navigating these financial challenges, and we are committed to doing so with utmost transparency and responsibility. We believe in keeping our community informed as we develop sustainable solutions and make necessary adjustments because your understanding and involvement are crucial to our success,” she said.
