Counselor warns staffing levels may fall short of student needs in Hancock County
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NEW CUMBERLAND -- With a packed agenda of personnel matters before them, members of the Hancock County Board of Education heard concerns about the availability of counselors and other student support positions for the coming school year.
Sherrie Garner, who cited 33 years of experience in education and mental health services, including 16 years with Hancock County Schools, addressed the board with concerns that the district may not have enough personnel to meet both student needs and state requirements.
"I'm here tonight to voice concern regarding the current staffing of student support services in Hancock County Schools, particularly the staffing of certified counselors," Garner said.
She said Hancock County Schools previously employed 13 certified counselors, with plans for 12 positions during the upcoming school year.
However, Garner said some employees who had been serving as mental health workers in the school system were affected by the Reduction in Force process because they did not hold the certification required by the West Virginia Department of Education to serve as school counselors.
Garner explained that individuals serving as certified school counselors must hold a degree in counseling and a West Virginia Department of Education school counseling certification.
"Throughout the summer, the county repeatedly posted vacancies for school counselor positions," Garner said, adding the postings initially listed seven openings.
The number of openings, she said, has since been reduced to six, with those positions expected to be filled pending approval from the state Board of Education.
Citing state code section 18-5-18B, Garner said school districts are required to provide two school counselors for every 1,000 students. The law also calls for one counselor for every 400 to 450 students at the elementary and middle school levels and one counselor for every 250 to 300 students at the high school level.
Garner said Hancock County Schools has approximately 3,275 students enrolled, which she believes indicates the district should have at least seven certified counselors.
She expressed particular concern about Oak Glen High School, where she works as a counselor.
"Oak Glen High School enrolls approximately 479 students and currently is assigned one counselor," Garner said.
She asked the board to conduct a countywide review of enrollment numbers at each school and compare them with planned staffing levels.
"I believe every student in Hancock County deserves equitable access to student support services regardless of which school they attend," Garner said. "Our students' academic success, career readiness and social and emotional well-being depend on the access of qualified support professionals."