Clark County Board Delays Decision on Using Cannabis Funds for School Counselors

Article Summary: A proposal to direct county cannabis tax revenue to fund counseling services in Clark County schools has been put on hold until budget season. The Human Resource Center presented the initiative, which has already helped 58 students through a part-time counselor, but the Clark County Board opted to defer a decision on funding.

School Counseling Proposal Key Points:

• The board considered a proposal to use cannabis tax funds to support a part-time school counselor through the Human Resource Center (HRC).

• The program has already provided services to 58 students throughout the county and continued through the summer.

• The board decided to “re-visit this at budget time” rather than taking immediate action.

• Sheriff Bill Brown announced plans to restart the DARE program in county schools.

MARSHALL — The Clark County Board has deferred a decision on a proposal to use cannabis tax funds to support a part-time counseling program for students in local schools. The board discussed the initiative at its July 18 meeting but ultimately decided to revisit the request during its upcoming budget deliberations.

Jonathan Burns of the Human Resource Center (HRC) presented the proposal, describing the program as a vital service for students. According to the meeting minutes, Burns is “very passionate about this program,” which places a part-time counselor in each of the county’s schools. The program has already assisted 58 students and was able to continue providing services through the summer.

Despite the program’s initial success, the board chose not to approve the funding immediately, opting for further review. “After much discussion, it was decided to re-visit this at budget time,” the minutes stated.

During the discussion, Clark County Sheriff Bill Brown added that his office is planning to bring back another student-focused program. He announced that he will be starting up the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Program in Clark County schools again, with plans to send a deputy for training in February to kickstart the initiative.