EDITOR: My name is Sara Schoonover and I work for Morgan Hill
School District as an adaptive physical education teacher. It has
been brought to my attention that the public has been left out in
the dark about some crucial information regarding the children and
students attending Morgan Hill public schools.
EDITOR:
My name is Sara Schoonover and I work for Morgan Hill School District as an adaptive physical education teacher. It has been brought to my attention that the public has been left out in the dark about some crucial information regarding the children and students attending Morgan Hill public schools.
As we all know, the district is undergoing severe budget cuts and are eliminating many teaching positions. What isn’t being mentioned is that all counselors, nurses and support staff are being eliminated as well. I work with counselors at Britton and Murphy middle schools, as well as Live Oak High School. I find it hard to imagine what my job would be like without these specially trained and hard-working professionals.
As a teacher in the area of special education, there are many factors involved in implementing an IP or individualized educational plan. The counselors can be crucial in this federally mandated implementation. They ensure that my students have classes they need and when they need them, among many other services. In talking to staff and colleagues, I know the general feeling is that our schools will not function smoothly and students will not get the services and support needed.
Of course, the students will feel the loss the most. Four of my eighth grade and one ninth grade student said that the counselors help them work through conflicts at home and at school. Counselors point them in the right direction for high school and college prep. courses. Counselors help students get into college and find scholarships and financial aide.
It would be devastating if even one senior did not go to college because they did not have the direction or mentorship from a counselor. Students feel that they would have no adult to talk to at school if counselors are not there. One student said “I would feel awful and wouldn’t have anyone to help me with problems at school.”
These counselors have built strong relationships made out of trust with their students. Counselors are crucial service providers that work full-time providing these services.
No, the job cannot and should not be done by other office staff. Counselors have a long list of job responsibilities that require a certified professional to perform these duties. Our students need support in these difficult times their lives and they deserve more than what the board has proposed.
Even if your children are in third or fourth grade, you must think about their future as middle school or high school students. I ask the public to support counselors and nurses, and I ask that the board reconsider the proposal to eliminate counselor positions in Morgan Hill.
There are two more public forums on how the district will deal with budget reductions. They are from 7-9 tonight at El Toro Elementary, 455 E. Main Ave., and 7-9 p.m. Wednesday at San Martin/Gwinn Elementary, 100 North St., San Martin.
I encourage anyone with students and children to attend one of these meetings.
Sara Schoonover,
Morgan Hill
