Potential Elimination of School Social Worker Positions

Expressed deep concern over proposed cuts to school social workers, sharing how a social worker helped her family through severe personal hardships.

Spoke in support of school social workers, describing how they provide a safe, welcoming space for students.

Asked the board to keep school social workers, highlighting how they help students calm down and feel at home.

Expressed support for keeping school social workers because they help students manage anger and difficult emotions.

A school social worker at Empire Elementary shared data on student groups served and potential Medicaid reimbursement opportunities.

An 11-year veteran school social worker detailed preventative mental health work, homeless student support, and crisis prevention.

A social work intern spoke about the critical role social workers play in MTSS tiers and immediate student interventions.

A UNR social work professor explained the specialized clinical training required for school social workers and why teachers cannot absorb those duties.

A school social worker shared intervention data and discussed how billable Medicaid codes can help sustain positions.

A speech language pathologist supported social workers, noting their unique ability to generate Medicaid revenue and handle crisis cases.

A fourth-grade teacher shared personal experiences of how social workers de-escalate violent student behaviors and support grieving students.

A Fremont Elementary social worker discussed managing suicide ideation referrals, home visits, and community partnerships.

An intervention paraprofessional spoke on reading proficiency challenges and the importance of supporting students.

A school nurse shared harrowing student statements regarding trauma and suicide, emphasizing that teachers cannot absorb mental health crises.

A long-time resident shared a personal story of how a school social worker helped her grandson overcome trauma after a school incident.

A middle school student shared how talking to a school social worker helped her process grief after her grandmother passed away.

An elementary student with ADHD explained how the social worker helps him manage anxiety and feel safe at school.

A public health professional and parent spoke about how social workers supported her children through family grief.

A Carson Middle School social worker passionately defended the profession, citing active cases of homelessness and homicidal ideation.

A high school social worker cited youth risk behavior statistics and questioned who would handle safety planning and abuse reports if positions are cut.

An elementary teacher emphasized that teachers lack the training to handle student trauma, abuse, and psychiatric crises.

An elementary principal spoke in strong support of maintaining elementary social workers for student safety and crisis management.

A long-time district employee discussed escalating student behavioral challenges and the necessity of social-emotional support.

An emergency substitute teacher spoke about witnessing classroom incidents and the vital support provided by social workers.

An elementary teacher described severe classroom behavior issues and student disrespect, arguing that discipline and accountability are needed.

A high school student shared a powerful personal story of how a school social worker helped her overcome depression and health crises.

An elementary teacher emphasized that students need emotional regulation tools provided by trained social workers to access academics.

A teacher and parent spoke about the heavy emotional burdens students carry and the necessity of social workers.

A kindergarten teacher emphasized that social workers provide vital preventative care against suicide and trauma.

A parent shared how a school social worker successfully helped her young child manage severe behavioral challenges.

A community member cited hospital data on youth mental health epidemics and urged the board to find alternative budget solutions.

An advocate shared a personal account of a high school student whose suicide attempt was averted due to immediate social worker intervention.

An elementary student argued that social workers reduce police involvement and provide safe spaces for students.

A registered nurse in inpatient adolescent care emphasized that preventing suicide requires robust tier-one and tier-two social worker support.

A former special education teacher and psychiatric caseworker discussed how school social workers serve as vital community liaisons.

A community member urged the board to thoroughly evaluate the real responsibilities lost if social worker positions are cut.

A paraprofessional and wrestling coach shared personal grief struggles and athletic mental health challenges.