Why one school district is taking the decision to end students' mental health support

The move came despite a last-minute appeal from the district superintendent.

PUBLISHED SEP 14, 2024

The program had served over 1,800 students in the past year.

Peoria, Arizona: As the rest of the US upgrades its weapons to tackle the issue of school students' increasing battles with mental health issues, the Peoria Unified School District seems to be disarming. In a 2-2 vote, the school district's board ended a mental health grant leaving the student support services' future in doubt.

Despite a last-minute appeal from the district superintendent, the decision halts the US Department of Education-funded program that had been in place since 2019. The grant, which provided funding for three supervisors and 14 social work interns, will expire on September 30.

The Arizona Education Association also weighed in labeling then move politically motivated.

The program had served over 1,800 students in the past year, addressing issues like grief, homelessness, and foster care. Despite a seeming need, board members Heather Rooks and Becky Proudfit voted against extending the grant.

Rooks's reasoning behind her vote was that the district was becoming overly reliant on social services, and that parents should be responsible for seeking outside mental health support for their children.

Needless to say, the decision has come under heavy fire, with board member Melissa Ewing arguing that the board should have prepared a contingency plan if they intended to end the program. The Arizona Education Association also weighed in labeling then move politically motivated.