A Utah school district is planning to have a full-time psychologist in each of its 36 elementary schools.
The Jordan School District board approved a mental health initiative last month as part of a $710 million budget, which includes more staff and training for students at all of its schools, including 10 middle schools and eight high schools and technical schools.
The plan is to have the psychologists in place by fall. Though new staff may not be fully in place by the time school starts in August, the district has started hiring and will temporarily supplement with counselors.
As of now, the district is short by 5.5 psychologist positions, meaning 11 elementary schools will have a psychologist for half the week and a counselor for the other half.
