Sarasota County Schools officials have responded to recent claims about their mental health program, asserting that reporting from Suncoast Searchlight contained inaccuracies. The dispute centers on the district’s contract with The Florida Center for Early Childhood, which provides full-time mental health therapists in elementary schools.
During a school board meeting, Superintendent Terry Connor addressed the claims made in a report published on April 4, which stated that the district would terminate its contract with The Florida Center. While Connor did not mention the news outlet by name, he referred to the information as “misinformation” and directed Chief of Student Services Kirk Hutchinson to clarify the situation.
Hutchinson reported that The Florida Center has served approximately 274 students this school year, equating to 75% of their contracted capacity. This figure contradicts the report, which indicated a significantly higher number of students being assisted. The data cited by Suncoast Searchlight originated from a district planning document and was confirmed in an email from district spokesperson Kelsey Whealy.
Additionally, the report claimed that The Florida Center had supported over 475 students in the previous school year. This number was also validated by Whealy in response to a fact-check inquiry.
Despite the controversy, the school board approved a new interagency agreement with The Florida Center during the meeting, allowing the district to continue referring students for mental health services. Hutchinson emphasized that the district currently has ten interagency agreements with various mental health providers, with nine already in place.
Moving forward, the district plans to repurpose funding from the Florida Center contract to maintain seven social worker positions and hire five additional mental health providers. Hutchinson indicated that this approach would allow for improved management of mental health services within the schools.
Connor stated the new model aims to enhance oversight, reduce response times, and ensure that mental health providers are fully integrated into the school environment. He confirmed that there is a waiting list of applicants for the new positions and that interagency partners have committed to supporting students who previously received therapy through The Florida Center.
During the public comment section of the meeting, several attendees expressed their concerns about the changes to the mental health program. Parent Julie Forestier highlighted the potential risks involved in altering a critical support system without a proven backup. Meanwhile, board member Tom Edwards acknowledged the public’s valid concerns while noting that state funding for school mental health services is insufficient.
Edwards encouraged the board to proceed with the new plan, stating, “Yes, it’s risky. Yes, we don’t know, but we have to have faith in the team that we’ve hired, which I do.” Board member Bridget Ziegler voiced her support for the leadership’s willingness to embrace change, while Robyn Marinelli, a former school counselor, pointed out the increased expectations for student support services since the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting.
Marinelli urged the board to utilize resources effectively and requested an update on the program’s performance in December, emphasizing the importance of assessing its effectiveness and making necessary adjustments.
Board member Liz Barker mentioned how her prior concerns about the new strategy were alleviated by updates regarding the capacity of partner agencies and the availability of applicants for the new roles.
This discussion reflects ongoing efforts within the Sarasota County Schools to adapt mental health services to meet the needs of students while addressing funding and resource challenges.
