School Board Considers Hiring Counseling Services for High School Students

In light of a recent youth suicide in Milpitas and a growing focus on teen stress and depression across the country, the members of the Milpitas Unified School District Board of Education Tuesday night turned their attention toward the need for trained professionals to offer regular access to counseling services for students at and high schools.

"We need more people, school psychologists and counselors to help our students," said Superintendent Cary Matsuoka. "The kids will feel safer if they have someone to talk to."

Matsuoka said that, when he worked for the Los Gatos Union School District, it utilized the services of CASSY - Counseling And Support Services for Youth.

CASSY is a Bay Area-based nonprofit agency that partners with schools to provide high-quality mental health services to students in the academic environment. CASSY provides individual, family and group counseling on campus, during school hours. Through the CASSY program, any enrolled student could receive services, free of charge.

Milpitas High School Principal Ken Schlaff spoke on behalf of his school.

"We really need support and training. We see an upsurge in students that are beyond our training," he said. "We also had a suicide this year that pushed this to the forefront. It's important that we express our support for CASSY's services. I am expressing my support and the support of Milpitas High School."

School board members voiced their support for CASSY as well.

A contract will be prepared for review at the next school board meeting. 

Matsuoka said the goal is to raise $18,000 through fundraisers to help offset the cost of the implementing CASSY at the two high schools. If the program is started in December, it will cost approximately $54,000. The remaining $36,000 would come from the district's general fund. 

Board member Gwan Alisantosa responded, "One life lost is one too many."

Some board members said the middle schools also need counseling services.

Superintendent Matsuoka replied, "We have to start somewhere; let's start with the high schools, then work on the middle schools. It is money, but it's also kids' lives. It's their hearts that we're taking care of, as well as their heads."  

The board indicated it would eventually like to implement the CASSY program in the elementary schools as well.