School counselors and nurses urge Beloit board: proposed cuts would heighten safety and health risks

At the April 21 School District of Beloit board meeting, counselors and parents urged the board to retain elementary student services and school nurses as the district faces budget reductions.

"Our elementary buildings are in a state of crisis due to extremely unsafe student behaviors," said Shanae, a school counselor who identified herself in emailed public comment and cited school-year discipline counts at one elementary. She told the board the building has had 858 discipline incidents so far this year and argued that eliminating counselors would make the situation worse.

Several parents who submitted emails said their children have diabetes and rely on trained school nurses for medication and monitoring. One father wrote that managing diabetes ‘‘is not just a matter of convenience for our family. It is about safety, trust, and making sure they are properly cared for throughout the school day.’’ Another parent warned that shifting medication administration to nonmedical staff ‘‘introduces unnecessary risk.’’

Nicole, a middle-school counselor, told the board she meets dozens of students weekly and described rising mental-health challenges among students, citing state statistics she read from the Wisconsin Office of Children’s Mental Health: "51 percent of teens reported having anxiety" and other high rates of depression and self-harm.

Board members did not take immediate action to adopt or reject the proposals referenced in public comment during the meeting. President Tia Johnson acknowledged the comments and reminded the public the budget process will be multiyear and that administration is preparing guidance and materials for board consideration.

Administration has said any staffing reductions are being considered as part of a multiyear plan to close a budget gap and that the district will seek to minimize impacts. The district also noted ongoing efforts to secure grant funding and partnerships to support literacy and other student services.

The meeting record shows public commenters requested the board retain current elementary student‑services staff and school nurses; the board is expected to consider those needs as it develops a formal 2026–27 budget plan.