School counselor rule is near finalization

Despite budget worries from superintendents, a rule requiring schools to provide more guidance counselors is headed for finalization in January.

If approved by the Utah State Board of Education, school districts will need to have one counselor for every 350 junior high and high school students.

Currently some schools have a counselor-to-student ratio of 1-to-600.

"We know for a fact the kids are not getting the counseling they need," said board member Dixie Allen.

The proposal also states counselors shouldn't be doing clerical work such as administering tests or changing class schedules.

If approved at the board's Jan. 8 meeting, the requirement will be implemented for the 2009-10 school year.

School district superintendents statewide like the idea of having more school counselors but question how to pay for such a mandate in tough budget times. Further, they take issue with the state board meddling with how districts spend their money.

"Place the rule on the shelf for better times and allow local districts to work with their patrons to determine where valued tax dollars should be spent," said Steve Peterson, executive director of the Utah School Superintendents Association.

Superintendents unanimously passed a motion against the board's proposal at a recent association meeting.

Weber School District Superintendent Michael Jacobsen said making a decision right now would "defy logic and common sense."

School counselors in Utah earn an average $60,455 a year, including benefits.

State board members say if they always waited for money to be available for education, nothing would ever happen. "If it's the right thing to do, there is no right time to do it except right now," Allen said.

Outgoing board member Teresa Theurer said the board understands and has addressed the superintendents' concerns. School districts that believe they can't afford the mandate will be required to submit a plan describing how they are working toward a counselor-student ratio of 1-to-350.

"We don't expect big changes this year," Theurer said. "We understand the economic times right now. But we look forward to seeing change as conditions improve."

Provo School District Superintendent Randy Merrill says it's an issue of local governance.