As a dedicated employee of a Baltimore County school, I have first-hand experience of seeing the positive impact school psychologists have on our schools and community. Their vital role stretches from providing academic, social, behavioral, and emotional support for our students, to educating others on the impact of child development on learning. Unfortunately, the current financial constraints our district faces have placed the jobs of these integral support staff in jeopardy. Post-Covid, many of our students are grappling with social and emotional regulation, a testament to the ever-crucial role of our school psychologists. Making budget cuts to this end is not just detrimental to our schools, but a disservice to our children and community. According to the National Association of School Psychologists, there should be one school psychologist per 500-700 students. Yet, with the looming budget cuts, we fear this ratio will drastically increase, hampering the much-needed support for every student.

"Our nation is seeing increasing numbers of students experiencing poverty and trauma and growing numbers of children with mental health disorders,” said Andrea Clyne, PhD, president of NASP in Bethesda, Maryland. “Schools are woefully underresourced when it comes to the provision of needed services for a population with diverse backgrounds and needs.” (https://www.apa.org/monitor/2024/01/trends-more-school-psychologists-neededhttps://chng.it/KshcgnVXQZ

According to the CDC, in 2021, suicide was the third leading cause of death among high school students. Immediate action needs to take place, fully supporting more school psychologists. The surge in school shootings, cyberbullying, and teen suicides is not just alarming—it’s unacceptable. Our children are battling overwhelming emotional and psychological stress, and without trained professionals in place, we are failing to protect them. School psychologists are not a luxury—they are a necessity. They are the frontline defense against tragedy, the advocates for struggling students, and the lifeline for those who feel unheard or unseen. These preventable crises continue to devastate our communities. Our children depend on the safety net, that our school psychologists provide.

Let's voice our concern and urge Baltimore County Public Schools to reconsider their decision and exempt school psychologists from their budget cuts. Sign this petition to protect our schools, and more importantly, the welfare of our children.