School districts decide whether to hire chaplains in mental health roles
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – School districts across the state have until March 1 to decide if chaplains will be allowed to join their staff in mental health roles.
Senate Bill 763 allows chaplains to be employed as counselors in public schools without the proper licensing required for counselors.
The final decision was left to individual school districts.
Bryan ISD cast their votes during their Feb. 19 board of trustees meeting, turning down the resolution in favor of their existing relationships with local faith-based organizations.
”We’re very fortunate at Bryan ISD to have a wealth of positions and counseling and support services in the district, and we’re very thankful that right now we have them all staffed with certified personnel,” Barbara Ybarra, Associate Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, said.
The College Station ISD board of trustees is making their decision at their Feb. 20 meeting. The board voted 7-0 to approve the resolution.
A resolution attached to the meeting agenda expresses that chaplains are permitted to apply for jobs and volunteer opportunities in the district.
However, one district official said they’re not looking for chaplains to fill counselor roles at this time.
