CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Hamilton County School Board has voted against a partnership with a mental health provider for students.
The school system had presented a memorandum of understanding with Centerstone to provide school based mental health services.
Those in support say that this could have provided support for students otherwise unable to access mental health resources.
Board member Jackie Anderson-Thomas said, “The minute something happens, you all are going to be talking about “They didn’t have this, this wasn’t in place” and we’re going to be blamed when the school system is trying to put people in place to help address the needs.”
However, those who opposed the partnership questioned the motives behind the partnership.
Board member Ben Daugherty said, “The idea of putting people that we don’t know, that didn’t go through our hiring systems, having an impact on a kid in a very vulnerable time in their life gives me absolute reservation as a parent.”
The partnership was voted against by a count of 6-5.
