Wellness Center Visits Near 2,500 as Screening Reveals Hidden Student Struggles
Board of Education • Palm Springs Unified School DistrictNovember 11, 2026
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Palm Springs Unified’s school-based mental health network is growing fast. Staff told the Board of Education on Nov. 10, 2026, that a pilot screener found students in distress whom staff had not noticed. The same meeting brought a parent’s plea to restore 8th grade promotion ceremonies, a retired professor’s complaint that a 2019 grievance was never resolved, and a farewell from Trustee Charlie E. Ervin Jr.
- Nearly 2,500 wellness center visits through September, roughly doubling from August to September
- Universal mental health screener flagged students in 34% of follow-ups whom staff didn't know were struggling
- 8th grade promotion ceremonies: a parent asked for their return, and the superintendent will bring options to the board
- Retired professor says 2019 complaint went unanswered as the board revises its complaint policy
- Teacher induction report approved: 5 coaches support 138 teachers, each carrying about 28 teachers
- Trustee Charlie E. Ervin Jr. bids farewell after not winning re-election
Wellness Centers Scale Up as Screening Finds Unseen Needs
Why it matters: Demand for school-based mental health support is rising. The district's new screening data suggests some of that need has been invisible to adults on campus.
Where things stand: Director of Student Services Lisa Todd reported nearly 2,500 visits across the district's wellness centers through September. Visits roughly doubled between August and September. The district has 14 staffed centers, with three more slated to open. Coordination of Services (COS) teams, which are staff groups that coordinate supports for individual students, operate at every wellness site.
Panorama social-emotional learning survey data showed gains. Self-efficacy, meaning students' confidence in their own ability to succeed, remained the lowest-scoring competency.
The screening finding: The district piloted a Morrow for Schools universal screener at three schools. It checks every student for signs of anxiety, depression and executive-functioning challenges. Staff followed up with 93% of students who showed a need. The follow-ups also produced the meeting's most striking number.
“In 34% of our follow-ups, staff noted that they did not know that student was struggling,” said Danielle Esquivel, Director of Mental Health.
Other programs are also expanding. A scholar-athlete mental health program is piloting at two high schools. The district has 12 interns from five university partners, including Cal State San Bernardino, California Baptist University and UMass Global.
Board questions: Trustees and student members asked how families and students can get help. Their answers covered four areas:
- Awareness: Todd pointed to high school wellness ambassador programs, student-led campaigns, parent messaging and a possible grant for an anonymous reporting system.
- Parent requests: In response to Board President Karen Cornett, Esquivel said parents can contact their child's school counselor, use a referral on the district website or scan QR codes.
- Confidentiality: Esquivel said students over 12 can consent to services on their own.
- Special education: Counseling linked to an IEP, a student's individualized education program, is delivered as educationally related mental health services.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The update was informational, so no vote was taken. Trustees and student members praised the report. Trustee John Gerardi framed the shift in historical terms: “10 years ago while I sat here on the board, this was not even a topic.” Superintendent Marcus Funchess credited the district's wellness work with earning its Golden Bell award.
Later, the board approved Amendment No. 1 to income agreement IN000230 with the County of Riverside. The agreement, with Riverside University Health System Behavioral Health, covers the 2025-26 Children's System of Care Program. The amendment passed by voice vote. Its terms were not discussed.
What's next: Three more wellness centers are slated to open. The anonymous reporting system depends on a possible grant.
Parents Press to Restore 8th Grade Promotion
Why it matters: A middle school milestone has become a question of student well-being. The superintendent has now committed to bring options back to the board.
Where things stand: During public comment, Luz Vargas, a former district student and parent of an 8th grader at James Workman Middle School in Cathedral City, said students are pressured to achieve but not recognized for it. She argued they need positive reinforcement while many struggle with their mental health.
“I urge you to consider reinstating the 8th grade promotion ceremony,” said Vargas, a public commenter.
In his report, Superintendent Funchess said administration will work with middle schools on robust end-of-year celebrations. “The board has tasked us with taking a look at that,” he said.
Near the end of the meeting, Trustee Sergio Espericueta said parents had approached him with the same request. Funchess said administration would bring its findings to the board for discussion.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: No vote was taken, and no policy has changed. Middle school families, particularly at James Workman, are the most directly affected. Campus staff would carry out any new celebrations.
What's next: Administration will return with options at a future meeting. No date was set.
Professor Says 2019 Complaint Never Resolved
The basics: Board Policy 1312.3 sets the district's Uniform Complaint Procedures. These are the formal rules for filing and investigating certain complaints.
Where things stand: Celadonio Mesa, a retired professor, told trustees he filed a complaint under BP 1312.3 on Sept. 13, 2019. He cited a 60-day deadline for investigations.
“To date, I have received no resolution, no written report, and no official communication regarding this matter,” said Mesa, a public commenter.
Mesa asked three things: who the district's compliance officer is, where the investigation report is, and what immediate steps the district will take. He said he expects a response from the superintendent's office.
The other side: Under the meeting's public comment rules, board members do not respond to speakers. The district did not address the specifics of Mesa's complaint at the meeting. During board comments, Board President Cornett said, “Your concerns are really taken seriously by the Board of Education.”
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Later, the board approved a revision to BP 1312.3 by voice vote. No connection to Mesa's complaint was stated.
The vote was one of nine policy revisions approved without questions or debate:
- BP 0410, non-discrimination
- BP 3230, federal grant funds
- BP 4000, concepts and roles
- BP 4020, drug- and alcohol-free workplace
- BP 4040, employee use of technology
- BP 4100, certificated personnel
- BP 4111, recruitment and selection
- BP 5145.3, student nondiscrimination and harassment
The specific changes were not described from the dais.
What's next: Residents tracking complaint handling may want to review the revised policy text and watch whether the superintendent's office responds to Mesa.
Teacher Induction: Small Coach Team, Big Caseloads
Why it matters: Support for new teachers shapes classroom quality and retention. The district's coaching corps has shrunk.
Where things stand: Dr. Teresa Haga, Director of Certificated Human Resources Recruitment, Retention, and Leadership Development, presented the 2025-26 induction and Peer Assistance and Review (PAR) report. Reflective coaches serve three-year terms. They work with induction candidates through the Riverside County Office of Education's Center for Teacher Innovation.
The program supported 138 teachers:
- 106 in induction
- 23 interns
- 8 in the voluntary STEP program
- 1 on PAR, which the teachers' contract requires after a "does not meet" evaluation
No district teachers are on emergency credentials.
“97% of our candidates said that working through the induction program has enhanced or significantly enhanced their student learning for the year,” said Haga.
The other side: A trustee noted the district once had 13 to 15 coaches. Haga said there have been 5 or 6 during her tenure. She added that coaches “have an average caseload of about 28 teachers.”
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The board approved the report by voice vote; a tally was not available. Newer teachers depend on this pipeline. The caseload numbers raise a capacity question for future budgets.
Ervin Says Goodbye After One Term
Where things stand: Trustee Charlie E. Ervin Jr., the board's vice president and clerk, said he did not win re-election. He thanked colleagues, staff and the community and recounted his path to the board. He cited the aviation and middle college programs as accomplishments. “This journey was never about me,” he said.
Ervin said he will remain APAC president and keep coaching youth sports.
Superintendent Funchess praised Ervin's advocacy for marginalized groups. He noted Ervin was the board's first African American member.
What's next: Departing board members will be recognized, with a chance to speak, at the Dec. 15, 2026, meeting.
Minor Items
- Middle college approved: The board voted to establish a PSUSD middle school/high school, where trustees said students will earn college credit alongside a diploma. A naming committee is seeking community input.
- Superintendent contract: The board approved Amendment No. 3 to Superintendent Funchess' employment agreement without discussion. The terms were not disclosed at the meeting.
- New assistant principal: Casey Caberry, an instructional coach at Indio Middle School, was approved for Rancho Mirage High School at salary schedule 215, column 1, step 2.
- Honors: Anderson Children's Foundation received the Making a Difference Award; Angelica Andrade and Deb Fuller were named employees of the month.
- Other approvals: The board adopted a California State Preschool Program funding resolution and a school construction signature resolution. It also acted on two claims, approved one expulsion case and passed consent items 19A-19I.
Looking Ahead
The board next meets Dec. 15, 2026, at 6 p.m. Departing members will be recognized at that meeting. Administration has also agreed to two follow-ups: assessing lighting at district schools, which a trustee requested, and returning with options for 8th grade promotion.