Modesto Schools Expanding Mental-Health Counseling Amid High Expulsions, Suspensions
MODESTO (CBS13) — Every Modesto city school may offer mental-health counseling for children in the coming school year.
The proposal comes after the state says Modesto had too many students expelled or suspended.
Kim Casey is making sure her daughter won't attend one high school when it reopens next month.
"Last year, my daughter was expelled at the end of the school year. After she was expelled, there were several expulsions after she was gone," she said.
Her daughter joins a list of expelled or suspended Modesto students that troubled the district and state educators. Students and parents on campus on Monday say the district has a reputation for being swift to discipline.
According to state records, Modesto schools suspend or expel students with mental-health or behavioral disabilities at twice the rate of the state average. A disproportionate number of suspended or expelled students were black, according to the records.
"II would say there are students with mental health issues all over the place. The important thing is how we can continue to work proactively to address those mental health needs before it results in suspension or expulsion," said Mark Herbst with Modesto City School.
The board of education has another incentive to keep troubled students in school. That's the risk of further sanctions from the state. The state already cracked down on the district for a 2013 report showing 14 students expelled. That means by law, the district must take 15 percent of all the federal money it's given for special education and use that money to keep kids in schools.
Trustees will vote whether to give contracts to the county and private agencies to provide mental health services to students.
"For counseling and social skills support for students in both general and special education," he said.
Casey wished her daughter had the help at school last year.
"This summer we paid a lot of money to have her go to some counseling programs," she said.
