MISD School Board directs more resources to professional counseling for students

By Phil Major
publisher@wood.cm
Posted 5/20/21

Mineola school trustees were set to increase licensed professional counseling services for students Monday, but upon hearing input from principals, asked Superintendent Cody Mize to go back to the drawing board for even more services.

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

MISD School Board directs more resources to professional counseling for students

Posted

Mineola school trustees were set to increase licensed professional counseling services for students Monday, but upon hearing input from principals, asked Superintendent Cody Mize to go back to the drawing board for even more services.

The district contracts with Next Step Community Solutions of Tyler for on-campus counseling visits.

The plan was to add a full day at the high school, doubling its allotment, expand to a full day at the middle school and a full shared day for the elementary and primary campuses.

High school will go to two full days while the middle school requested the same, and elementary and primary each requested a full day.

As counselor Melisia Foster explained, Next Step has been providing a licensed professional counselor who works with Mineola students exclusively as their counselor.

Counseling is set up through a recommendation by the campus counselor, with approval from parents.

Board member Jill Quiambao, a medical professional, said she has not seen so much demand for mental health services for young people since the pandemic crisis began.

Mize said the district has worked well with Next Step the past couple years, to “tend to the social and emotional well-being of children.”

The service will qualify for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds that the district is receiving through the federal government.

MISD is in line for $3.6 million and is developing plans for spending the funds, including a survey asking the community for input.

Some 20% of the money must be spent helping to close the gap created by school closure during the pandemic.

The relief money is coming in three stages.

The first phase has been spent, the third phase is the money being discussed now, and the second phase is expected in September 2025, a year after the third phase has to be spent.