Mental health crisis brings students back

San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District Superintendent Michael Cardona explained the district’s decision to bring all students back to campus during their agenda preparation meeting Monday. 

Cardona shared that four students who were learning remotely passed away in the past year after several parents spoke in the public comment portion of the meeting about the anxiety of their children returning to classes during a pandemic with so many unknowns.

He elaborated on what was already stated in a letter to parents explaining the decision; “Mainly because we need to bring kids in because of some mental health concerns,” said Cardona. 

He validated the legitimacy of all the concerns over anxiety, but explained the district came to the conclusion that checking in on the mental health of kids was what was most important.

“I think we can agree that four students is too many that have passed away,” he continued. "The trauma from this pandemic is real.”

Several parents spoke in a public comment portion of the meeting asking for answers to questions about how medically exempt students, who are permitted to continue learning remotely, will keep learning without livestream classes, about available PPE and COVID-19 safety precautions and increased traffic. 

Cardona said although there would not be any livestream videos for those learning at home, principals will work with families to create learning plans that work for each student. Teachers will continue to upload instructional videos and be available for face to face office hours. 

He also clarified that there was a process for getting a medical exemption after the announcement so that a student could work from home, and that medical exemptions included at-risk family members.

In their March 31 letter, the district wrote that all SMCISD students would be expected to return to campus for in-person learning unless they had a medical exemption. They also shared that students can work with principals to discuss the medical exemption process and learn more at https://www.smcisd.net/Page/4723. 

Parents were also concerned about testing anxiety and the upcoming STAR test which would now occur in person, another potential source of anxiety for kids. 

He highlighted some of their mental health programs like Communities in Schools and available social and emotional counselors. 

“I could care less about the STAR test at this point,” he said. “I care about checking on the well being of our kids. We do have our medically fragile students with Individualized Education Program in place and we will continue that. We don't want to disrupt that program. We are trying to tailor a plan for each individual child”

Every campus has enough PPE, dividers and sanitation supplies, according to Cardona. He also explained that their buildings are never at full capacity even with full attendance. 

He pledged to look into traffic patterns, involving teachers and principals. 

Cardona did apologize for the message that got out before an email could be sent to parents. “We had asked staff members not to say anything so we could send a message from the district,” said Cardona. “That did not happen. Word started spreading. I want to apologize for that happening.”

He asked for grace and patience as they continue to adapt to an ongoing crisis.

“We have adapted as we needed to adapt,” he said. “That’s what having a plan that is iterative allows us to do.” 

The next meeting on April 19 will discuss salaries, a third party equity update, a safety update and a superintendent's report around safety and reopening. It was requested that the report would include details of a suicide prevention and response plan.