20-2. Counselors
20-2.1. Testing.
Counselors shall only contribute to test proctoring or test administration as part of a fair share duty where all staff share in the responsibility of test proctoring.
20-2.1(a). Elementary and Middle Schools.
Wherever possible, no more than forty students shall be tested at any one time.
20-2.1(b). High Schools.
Wherever possible, no more than eighty students shall be tested at any one time.
20-2.2. Professional Orientation and Staff Development.
A professional orientation meeting for counselors shall be held once each year during the regular school day. The BOARD shall also conduct one annual staff development workshop for counselors to review the duties and responsibilities of counselors. School administrators shall schedule beginning of the year activities requiring counselor involvement so that said activities do not prevent counselors from attending beginning of the school year all staff orientation and professional development. The BOARD shall provide counselors with additional release time for professional development specific to counseling during the school day and year.
20-2.3. Staffing Formula.
20-2.3(a). General Objective.
The recommendation of the 1960 White House Conference on Children and Youth of a counselee-counselor ratio of six hundred to one at the elementary level is accepted as a desirable goal.
20-2.3(b). Allocation.
All elementary, middle, and high schools shall be allocated at least a 1.0 centrally-funded school counselor position. Effective SY2025-2026, the Board will centrally fund counselors according to the following formula:
- 1 per school
- One additional counselor for every 500 students at a HS
- One additional counselor for every 600 students at an ES
- Minimum of 2 counselors if Opportunity Index is 48+ and enrollment is 250+ students OR if Opportunity Index is 40-47 and enrollment is 350+ students.
20-2.4. New Buildings.
New buildings shall include adequate space to conduct interviews and meetings and provide counseling for students.
20-2.5. Guidance Staff Lists.
A list of schools with the names of principals and counselors shall be sent to each elementary and high school for the guidance staff.
20-2.6. Counselor Duties.
In programming and directing the work of an Elementary, Middle, and High School counselor, a principal shall not assign duties to the counselor that are not consistent with the recommendations of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). The School Counseling Handbook shall delineate for principals duties that are appropriate and inappropriate under the ASCA model. Principals will ensure that School Counselors are given adequate time during the school day to deliver Tier 1, 2, and 3 student supports and counseling activities. Counselors shall not be used as prep teachers, substitute teachers, or lead teachers when providing Tier 1 and Tier 2 instruction. Disagreements over this Section shall be resolved initially by the counselor, the principal and the Professional Problems Committee.
20-2.7. Reassignment.
Centrally funded Counselors may be reassigned to teaching positions with the written agreement of the counselor.
20-2.8. Administrator Resources.
All school and network administrators will be provided, including at the annual administrator CBA training under Article 1-23, with resources and information on the role of school counselors, including appropriate and inappropriate duties, and the REACH framework for school counselor evaluation.
20-2.9. Assignments and Paperwork.
School counselors shall not be assigned as the lead on more than two initiatives (e.g., STLS, BHT, Climate and Culture, Wellness Champions, Dental/Vision Coordinators, Test Coordinators, etc.) without mutual written agreement between themself and their administrator. Paperwork assigned to counselors shall be kept to a minimum, including paperwork connected to EBIP/AMP, or other comprehensive plan programs, so as to allow counselors to focus on a school’s vision, mission, goals, and outcomes and share them with their administrator through the Annual Administrator Conference.
20-2.10. Cluster Program Support.
The BOARD shall offer counselors professional development on how to best support cluster programs.
20-2.11. SSM Access.
Counselors shall be provided with school-wide access to SSM.