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Reclassification of school counselors underway
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Posted on Nov 14 2000
School counselors will be reclassified as Public School System employees under a bill passed yesterday by the House of Representatives in response to the appeal from education officials.
Education Committee chair Rep. Brigida DLG. Ichihara, who authors HB 12-277, said the legislation will provide counselors similar treatment as classroom teachers, including salary schedule.
Existing regulations exclude counselors from PSS policies despite the fact that they are directly affecting education of students because of their role in the school.
If the proposal becomes a law, they will then be required to comply with certification procedures similar to what teachers and librarians go through before being employed by PSS.
Both the PSS and Board of Education have modified their policies and regulation to manifest the goal of HB 12-277, according to a report from the House education committee.
“Such training that the counselors will endure is only beneficial to the academic and instructional support of our young students,” the report stated.
By reclassifying counselors as certified employees of PSS, the public school students on the islands stand to receive quality counseling services from trained professionals, Ms. Ichihara said.
She added they would attain “professional and academic esteem” if they are covered by PSS policies.
The measure now heads to the Senate for voting. (BS)
