Westmoreland Review

Rep. Jill Cooper, representing the 55th District of Pennsylvania, has raised concerns over a recent proposal that she believes could lead to increased school property taxes. The proposal in question, House Bill 1665, would mandate changes in how school counselors operate, limiting the time they can spend on tasks not directly related to student guidance.

Expressing her reservations, Rep. Cooper highlighted the potential challenges of unfunded mandates on local governments, stating, "Understanding the hardships with unfunded mandates, I have several concerns with Harrisburg directing what the workload of a school counselor should be."

Furthermore, Rep. Cooper emphasized the importance of parental involvement in mental and behavioral health evaluations within schools. She noted, "Often, school counselors become engaged in mental and behavioral health issues. But we cannot look past the valuable roles of parents in the lives of children." She added, "By no means, should that resource be considered a replacement for parental guidance, support and love."

Despite efforts to improve the bill, an amendment aimed at involving parents in the evaluation process was voted down along party lines. Following the defeat of the amendment, House Bill 1665 was passed and has been referred to the Senate for further consideration.

In addition to addressing education-related issues, Rep. Cooper also shared news and reminders on other topics. These include efforts to limit the spread of the Spotted Lanternfly, PennDOT's invitation for feedback on winter services, and a warning about scams targeting parents of students preparing for college entrance exams.

As discussions on House Bill 1665 continue, Rep. Cooper remains committed to advocating for policies that prioritize local decision-making and parental involvement in education and mental health matters.