UCPS committee forwards school mental-health improvement plan to full board ahead of Sept. 15 state deadline
August 27, 2025 | Union County Public Schools, School Districts, North Carolina
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Union County Public Schools Curriculum Committee on Aug. 27 voted to send the district's 2025 school mental-health improvement plan to the full Board for approval ahead of the Sept. 15 deadline required by the North Carolina State Board of Education. The move came after a brief presentation and questions from committee members.
The plan is the document the district must file with the state and is meant to outline current initiatives, identified needs and next steps for promoting student mental health across the district's 40,000-plus students. Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Dr. Jones told committee members the plan updates a version approved last year and reflects a review process led by Dr. Kasia Giddens and other staff.
Dr. Jones said the update is intended to present "what we perceive to be our strengths and our needs" and reiterated that the district will report the plan to the state after the committee forwards it. "So this is what we will report to the state, of course, with your blessing, prior to the September 15 when this plan is due," Dr. Jones said.
Committee member Reverend Vention asked whether there were highlights staff wanted the committee to note before forwarding the plan; Dr. Jones described early-intervention efforts, the district's suicide-risk protocol and a focus on student well-being that aims to address both individuals and systemwide supports. "Very confident in that process," Dr. Jones said of the internal review team.
No amendments or further committee directions were recorded. The committee chair called for a motion to forward the plan to the full Board; a motion and a second were made and the committee recorded an affirmative vote to send the plan to the Board for approval.
The committee discussion did not adopt the plan on its own; formal approval will occur only if and when the full Board votes. The district must file the plan with the State Board of Education by Sept. 15, as noted in the presentation to the committee.
The committee adjourned after completing the agenda and scheduled its next meeting for Sept. 24 at 10 a.m. via Zoom.
The plan is the document the district must file with the state and is meant to outline current initiatives, identified needs and next steps for promoting student mental health across the district's 40,000-plus students. Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Dr. Jones told committee members the plan updates a version approved last year and reflects a review process led by Dr. Kasia Giddens and other staff.
Dr. Jones said the update is intended to present "what we perceive to be our strengths and our needs" and reiterated that the district will report the plan to the state after the committee forwards it. "So this is what we will report to the state, of course, with your blessing, prior to the September 15 when this plan is due," Dr. Jones said.
Committee member Reverend Vention asked whether there were highlights staff wanted the committee to note before forwarding the plan; Dr. Jones described early-intervention efforts, the district's suicide-risk protocol and a focus on student well-being that aims to address both individuals and systemwide supports. "Very confident in that process," Dr. Jones said of the internal review team.
No amendments or further committee directions were recorded. The committee chair called for a motion to forward the plan to the full Board; a motion and a second were made and the committee recorded an affirmative vote to send the plan to the Board for approval.
The committee discussion did not adopt the plan on its own; formal approval will occur only if and when the full Board votes. The district must file the plan with the State Board of Education by Sept. 15, as noted in the presentation to the committee.
The committee adjourned after completing the agenda and scheduled its next meeting for Sept. 24 at 10 a.m. via Zoom.
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