Health & wellness
BY BROOKE SJOBERG
With Texas lawmakers heading back to the Capitol for the 89th legislative session, Georgetown ISD officials have a new ask for state leaders: providing funding to support the mental health of students and district employees. In an interview with Community Impact, Superintendent Devin Padavil said one of the district’s priorities is to address the mental health needs of staff and students to improve well-being. Padavil said the district could stand to hire nine additional school counselors and a district therapist to meet the needs of students. The district currently employs 32 school counselors across its 17 campuses. GISD prioritizes mental health
What’s next
The approach
Padavil estimates the district would require up to $1 million in additional funding for mental health care.
By improving mental health services for students and employees, Padavil said GISD would be better able to support them in and outside of the classroom. This has also been identified as a priority for the district’s student advisory council, which is exploring opportunities for a student-driven project addressing mental health in the district. He said this would most likely take the shape of an educational initiative, increasing awareness of district services and best practices among younger students. To provide these services, Padavil said the district will have to secure additional funding from the state during the legislative process. If not, the district will be unable to increase mental health staff.
Funding allocated in 2024-25 budget Additional funding needed
$8M
The additional funding would cover:
$7M
+9 school counselors
$1,000,000
$6M
+1 district therapist
$5M
$4M
The district currently has:
$3M
32 school counselors 8 school- based therapists
$2M
$1M
$6,043,914
SOURCE: GEORGETOWN ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT $0
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