Hanover County school board approves budget despite concerns over cuts to mental health clinicians

HANOVER, Va. (WRIC) — The Hanover County School Board has approved a proposed $272.4 million budget for fiscal year 2027. The proposal includes pay raises for teachers and staff as well as additional academic support for students, but it also reduces the number of school-based mental health clinicians. The move has drawn concern from parents, students and community leaders.

The proposed budget is about $6 million higher than last fiscal year. It includes a 3% salary increase for educators and staff, along with funding for additional math and literacy coaches. Superintendent Dr. Lisa Pennycuff said the proposal reflects the division’s priority of supporting both students and employees.

However, much of the public discussion surrounding the budget has focused on a proposed reduction in contracted mental health services.

Under the proposal, the number of school-based mental health clinicians would be reduced from seven positions to three after a state grant that previously funded the program expired. The clinicians are an extension of Hanover County’s Community Services Board and provide on-campus mental health support to students. School division leaders said mental health services will remain available to students, even with the reduction in clinicians. However, without the grant, local funding would be required to support the reduced positions.

Several community members urged the board to find alternative funding to maintain the program.

“Is there a possibility that we could move some things around to fund those mental health counselors for the coming year?” asked Patricia Hunter-Jordan of the Hanover NAACP during a school board meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 10.

One parent suggested cutting funding from other areas to support the program.

"Have you thought on other ways to keep this funded? Maybe pull back on athletics?" said another speaker.

The comments echo concerns from parents, students, and educators in the community. Many of them expressed their disapproval at a previous school board meeting on Feb. 3. During that meeting, a student shared her personal experience with taking advantage of her school's mental health clinician.

“During one of the most difficult periods of my life, our mental health clinician was one of the only consistent sources of support I had,” said Savannah Lane. “Mental health challenges do not pause during the school day, and neither should our support for students who are struggling.”

The board assured parents that students will continue to have access to high-quality mental health supports through the school division, as well as supports from the Community Services Board.

Despite the community's ongoing concerns, the school board voted to approve the budget as proposed. School Board Chair Whitney Welsh said the division plans to continue working with county leaders to revise the program.

“We will be working with the county on a revised program over the next 60 days that would include funding to retain a few Community Services Board clinicians who would be able to work with our schools to address our greatest areas of need,” Welsh said.

During a Board of Supervisors meeting on Thursday, Feb. 11 funding was allocated to add one additional mental health clinician, allowing four clinicians to be school-based.

The proposed budget will be considered by the Hanover County Board of Supervisors during a special budget meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 18.