Districts propose to increase funding for mental health resources

Anne Arundel County Public Schools is the latest district to increase funding for what is called social-emotional learning.| LINKS: Resources Maryland Peace of Mind | Youth Suicide Prevention Toolkit The funding increase comes as educators agree the pandemic is having a negative effect on student behavior. A few months ago, an Annapolis high school student was charged with stabbing on campus. School officials said the altercation stemmed from issues in the neighborhood. to staff members,” AACPS spokesman Bob Mosier said. Before leaving the district, Superintendent George Arlotto offered to spend more money to help solve what he calls “the ‘social-emotional learning’. He wants to set aside $4.4 million in next year’s school budget to fill dozens of positions, such as vice-principals, teachers and teaching assistants, counselors and school psychologists.| RELATED: Study shows depression, anxiety rates have doubled in children amid pandemic Anne Arundel County Teachers Association president Russell Leone backs superintendent’s proposal “Everybody came back with some sort of trauma from the experiences of the last two years, that will help,” Leone said. A number of other Maryland school districts also plan to increase their budgets to meet the emotional needs of students and staff. “Anytime we can get additional guidance for counsellors, social workers and psychologists, that’s a good thing. Now we need to find these staff to fill these positions and we need them now,” said Cheryl Bost, president of the Maryland State Education Association. The public will have a chance to weigh in on Anne Arundel County’s proposal in the new year. It is also possible that the Anne Arundel County School Board will agree to spend more than the superintendent recommends.

Anne Arundel County Public Schools is the latest district to increase funding for what is called social-emotional learning.

| CONNECTIONS: Resources Maryland Peace of Mind | Youth Suicide Prevention Toolkit

The funding increase comes as educators agree the pandemic is having a negative effect on student behavior.

A few months ago, an Annapolis high school student was charged with stabbing on campus. School officials said the altercation stemmed from issues in the neighborhood.

“People are frustrated for a number of reasons, and we have students who display these frustrations inappropriately in our school buildings. Unfortunately, we have adults who display these frustrations towards staff members,” the doorman said. -AACPS spokesperson, Bob Mosier.

Before leaving the district, Superintendent George Arlotto offered to spend more money to help address what he calls “social-emotional learning.” He wants to set aside $4.4 million in next year’s school budget to fill dozens of positions, such as vice-principals, teachers and teaching aides, counselors and school psychologists.

| RELATED: Study shows depression and anxiety rates doubled in children amid pandemic

Russell Leone, president of the Anne Arundel County Teachers’ Association, supports the superintendent’s proposal.

“Everyone came back with some sort of trauma from the experiences of the last two years, that will help resolve,” Leone said.

A number of other Maryland school districts also plan to bolster their budgets to meet the emotional needs of students and staff.

“Anytime we can get additional guidance for counsellors, social workers and psychologists, that’s a good thing. Now we need to find those people to fill those positions and we need them now,” Cheryl said. Bost, president of the Maryland State Education Association.

The public will have an opportunity to vote on Anne Arundel County’s proposal in the new year. It is also possible that the Anne Arundel County School Board will agree to spend more than the superintendent recommends.

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