June 20th, 2019 by WCBC Radio

Jake Shade, President of the Allegany County Board of Commissioners, thanked the Allegany County Board of Education for including four new mental health positions in the FY2020 Allegany County Board of Education budget.

 

“With the rising tide of teen and young adult suicide and an increased frequency of violent acts, these counselors’ positions will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the school system and all students enrolled in ACPS.”  Shade said. 

 

Shade continued: “A priority of mine this budget cycle was to have a mental health counselor in every high school. This proposal was made in February and was expressed to the Board of Education during their budget hearing in March in front of the Board of Commissioners. Funding from the county to the Board of Education increased by $310,027 and including these positions in that increase shows a dedication to the safety and well-being of our students.”

 

“This forward thinking proposal will ensure that Allegany County has one of the most proactive stances toward student mental health within the State of Maryland. I want to thank the Board of Education for including this in your operating budget, it is deeply appreciated.” Shade concluded. 

 

The Allegany County Board of Education will be hiring two behavioral specialists at the secondary level, a similar position at the elementary level, and making a temporary Mental Health Coordinator position a permanent position.  Allegany County Government has approved $30,734,335 in funding for the Board of Education’s FY2020 budget.