JUNE 14, 2022 CARPINTERIA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT MEETING — Two major themes for Tuesday’s meeting were school safety and mental health wellness. During the Superintendent Report, Superintendent Diana Rigby expressed, “School safety is our top priority and teachers and staff work hard each day to keep everyone safe.” Extensive safety measures include staff-wide safety training, active shooter training, locked doors and fences, controlled building access, visitor sign-ins, employee badges, service employee uniforms, and hallway and campus supervision.

A robust system of mental health wellness is in place. All CUSD staff are trained in social-emotional learning through a $200,000, three-year grant from AHA! (Attitude, Harmony, Achievement). Teachers foster strong relationships with students and administer activities which develop a positive school climate. Counselors and psychologists are available to all students and their families. There is support from the Santa Barbara Mental Wellness Center, Family Service Agency, Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, the Family Resource Center at Carpinteria Children’s Project and Carpinteria CONNECT, as well as intensive mental health counseling, support and therapeutic programs for students living with serious emotional issues.

During the Consent Agenda item, the Board moved to approve a Memorandum of Understanding with the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse for a School-Based Therapist at Carpinteria High School during Summer 2022, as well as a Contract with Family Service Agency for social work, school-based and summer counseling services.