On Thursday, Hamilton County School Board members talked about the best way to address students’ mental health.
Members debated on whether to approve an agreement with Centerstone, a company which provides school-based services in many Tennessee schools.
Jackie Thomas, who represents the board’s fourth district spoke in support of Centerstone.
“And I think that’s our problem because we think all children can just be resilient but they’re not. The mental health services that they offer can be offered also in the home, outside of the school, so you’re holistically working with a family,” said Thomas.
But later, Ben Daugherty, who represents the board’s second district, said he had concerns about how the company might operate.
“You seem like a nice guy, but where I have pause is people that are not part of Hamilton County Schools. I don’t really know much about your company’s philosophy. I certainly don’t know much about any of the individuals that you’re going to employ across this school system. I don’t know their background or beliefs of ideology,” said Daugherty.
Jill Black, who represents the board’s eleventh district, expressed a different sentiment:
“I do not want to hear one person who voted against the Centerstone MOU say a single word about student mental health should we have the worse happen in Hamilton County and we experience a mass casualty event. The vote tonight made our kids less safe. It made it harder for families to take care of their students’ mental health needs. And it is shameful.”
A company representative denied any kind of political or religious agenda.
Members ultimately voted against an agreement with Centerstone.