Public commenters urge David Douglas board to oppose Multnomah County cuts to school‑based mental health
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Summary
Parents and professionals told the board that proposed Multnomah County budget cuts would remove critical counseling supports from schools. Speakers described long‑term impact of losing school‑based counselors and asked the district to advocate to preserve services.
Several public commenters urged the David Douglas board to take a strong public stance against proposed Multnomah County budget cuts that would reduce or eliminate school‑based mental‑health services.
Aaron Barrow, a parent and mental‑health worker, said he learned at a recent clinic visit that county funding for an unnamed school‑based counseling program was slated to be removed from the county budget proposal that will be presented in April. He recounted how counseling helped his neurodivergent son and family during elementary school and said continued access to school‑based counselors is essential. “We need more help than we’ve ever needed before, not less,” Barrow said.
Diane Salazar, who identified roles with multiple child‑advocacy and autism commissions, also urged the board to safeguard student mental‑health resources and oppose county cuts. Salazar noted that any county reductions would place additional burdens on a district already reporting stretched supports.
District union leader Stephanie Murray (David Douglas Education Association president) and Oregon School Employees Association speaker Darla Black also addressed mental‑health and staffing concerns in their reports, urging continued support for counselors, social workers and culturally responsive mental‑health programming.
Superintendent Ken Richardson later told the board that district staff are actively advocating with county officials to prevent cuts and that the district will coordinate testimony and communications. He identified three county areas the district planned to emphasize in advocacy: preventing elimination of certain programs, maintaining school‑based mental health funds and protecting youth and family services.
Board members expressed concern about the county proposal and the potential downstream effects on students’ learning and well‑being. The board did not take a formal vote at the meeting but staff said they would continue to monitor the county budget process and submit testimony.
