Santa Rosa City Schools is making an urgent $5 million plea to the county to save its student mental health programs from the chopping block.
Per the Press Democrat, the district is asking for funds from Measure O—the county’s quarter-cent sales tax for mental health—to keep its wellness centers and school therapists afloat. These services were originally funded by one-time wildfire and pandemic relief grants, but that money has officially run out.
District leaders warn that without county help, they will have to cut 75% of their mental health staff. Board President Nick Caston says the move is necessary to avoid a state takeover, as the district faces a massive $23 million budget deficit and the potential closure of six schools.
However, county health officials say there is a catch: most Measure O funds are already tied up in existing programs, leaving very little flexibility for new requests.
Talks between the district and the county are ongoing, but school officials say the clock is ticking. If a deal isn’t reached, a new round of layoff notices could go out this spring.
