For those of us who had added stresses, such as divorces, moves, learning disabilities, or poverty, sometimes the only respite was getting to the guidance counselor (or being sent) and finding someone who would listen and offer strategies for making it through.
The middle school years are often a defining moment in a person's life; it is a time when children make choices about their paths and most need guidance. When they lack that guidance at home, for whatever reason, school is plan B. Outside of home, it's the place they spend most of their time and will find people who care.While guidance counselors are not social workers, one of their functions is to support students as they make their way through school.
I would imagine that guidance counselors in middle school attend to problems today that are far more complex than they were twenty or thirty years ago. They help children sort out their problems as well as support their wise choices.
Our children cannot do without nor should they have to do without the safety net provided by middle school guidance counselors. But this is what could happen should the levy not pass in November. One of the slated cuts is middle school guidance counselors.
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I am a teacher at one of the Worthington middle schools. In my view, the worst possible cut would be in the deans and counselors at this level. Not only would student needs not be met directly, indirectly teachers and staff will have larger discipline problems in the schools. This is a must save position. This levy couldn't be any more serious if it does not pass.
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