Jim Thorpe Area School District is considering adding school social workers to support the mental health and academic success of its students amid growing concerns over absenteeism, behavioral issues, and limited access to mental health services.

During a school board workshop Wednesday night, district officials presented a detailed proposal advocating for the hiring of social workers to provide essential mental health support and improve the overall school climate.

Addressing mental health challenges

“One in five children experience a mental health disorder,” Superintendent Rob Presley said. “Fifty percent of all lifetime mental illnesses begin by the age of 14, and we’re seeing increased rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation among students post-pandemic.”

Officials emphasized that schools play a critical role in identifying and addressing mental health concerns.

Without sufficient support, Presley added, these issues can contribute to chronic absenteeism, poor academic performance, and higher dropout rates.

“Students with mental health challenges are two to three times more likely to be chronically absent,” Presley said. “High school absenteeism is a significant issue for us right now — it’s one of the areas where we’ve been flagged for underperformance.”

The American School Counselor Association recommends one social worker per 250 students. The Jim Thorpe Area School District, with approximately 1,600 students, currently has no social workers on staff.

Proposed role

The proposed social workers would provide a range of services, including individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, and case management. They would also work with families and community organizations to connect students with additional resources.

“They can help with attendance and truancy issues, which have been particularly problematic since the pandemic,” Presley said. “Assistant principals are overwhelmed trying to handle truancy conferences and interventions. A social worker could ease that burden and provide targeted support.”

Between now and April 2, district officials, Jim Thorpe is scheduled for 37 court appearances for truancy.

Social workers, Presley added, would also offer professional development for staff, equipping teachers with strategies to handle behavioral issues in the classroom.

“This is about improving the school climate,” he said. “When students feel supported, they’re more likely to engage academically and socially. That benefits everyone — students, teachers, and families.”

Funding, hiring challenges

Presley said funding for the positions could come from a combination of the general fund and a competitive school safety grant, but there are limitations.

“If we hire them directly, we can use the grant for the first year, but not after that,” he said. “However, if we contract the social workers, we can continue using the grant funds each year without it being considered supplanting.”

While Jim Thorpe did not discuss specific salary numbers Wednesday, both Tamaqua and Lehighton school districts hired social workers over the past year in the $54,000-$58,000 range.

Another challenge involves state certification requirements. Beginning in 2026, Pennsylvania will require school social workers to hold a specific certification.

“My daughter is about to graduate with a Master of Social Work,” Presley said. “She could work in a hospital or a counseling center right now, but if she wanted to work in a Pennsylvania school, she’d need to take 18 additional credits. That’s going to make it harder to find qualified candidates.”

Board members expressed concern about job security for potential hires if funding becomes uncertain.

“That could scare people off,” Presley said. “If they think the job could disappear after a year if the grant goes away, they might not apply. I would put it right in the contract that way the funding is there after a grant goes away.”

The board plans to review the budget and clarify funding options before making a final decision.

“This is something we really need,” Presley said. “Our kids are struggling, and our staff is struggling. Adding social workers could make a real difference for everyone.”