ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) —

Even as they wrestle with other budget challenges, Asheville City Schools officials asking for extra financial help to address a sharp rise in student mental health issues and behavioral challenges in the classroom.

District officials this week plan to ask Buncombe County Commissioners for $850,000 toward hiring two additional social workers, two mental health professionals, two school counselors and two behavior interventionists.

It’s part of a total $3.8 million budget enhancement request commissioners will consider during a special budget work session from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, May 9, at 200 College St., Asheville.

The ACS Board of Education has been wrestling with a projected $5.7 million budget shortfall due to a decrease in enrollment, the loss of Covid emergency ESSER funds and other factors, including rising salary, insurance and utility costs.

But at the same time, district educators have reported a sharp rise in student mental health and behavioral issues.

“Mental health needs continue to put a strain on our educators,” ACS Chief of Staff Kimberly J. Dechant, Ed.D., told 828newsNOW on Tuesday.

Through Superintendent Dr. Maggie Fehrman’s listening sessions at individual schools and a districtwide survey, the district identified student mental health and addressing student behavior as the two greatest budgetary needs.

According to Dechant, the number of school-based therapy referrals more than doubled from the 2022-2023 school year to 2023-2024, from 131 to 266 referrals. Just this school year, the district has had 41 referrals for suicide screenings, based on concerns expressed either by a student, a peer, a parent or educator, she said.

With the referral numbers doubling in one year, “It is hard to pinpoint. Is it society being more aware of seeking mental health support, or is it an increase (in mental health problems)?” Dechant said.

Either way, teachers also are reporting a rise in student disruptions, like aggressive outbursts in the classroom, she said.

“I think the behaviors teachers are seeing, students’ inability to self-regulate, has become more challenging,” Dechant said.

She said it’s part of a trend affecting schools across the country, as some students appear not to know how to channel their feelings.

Overall, “Teachers and administrators report that they need additional supports to identify the underlying cause and implement solutions,” the district’s CougarCall! newsletter stated.

At Thursday’s county commission meeting, Asheville City Schools will be asking for: $175,000 to hire two new social workers; $175,000 to hire two new school counselors; $250,000 to hire two new mental health professionals; and $250,000 to hire two new behavioral specialists.

It’s part of the larger, $3.8 million budget enhancement request.

On Thursday, Fehrman and district Chief Financial Officer Heidi Kerns will outline the district’s proposal to make significant budget cuts toward addressing the $5.7 million shortfall first identified last year.

That includes implementing a change in the staffing allocation formula, reducing staffing at the central office, making a 5 percent cut in spending on supplies, materials and equipment, and generating an estimated $1.8 million to $2.3 million in savings from the planned consolidation of the district’s two middle schools.

They also will be asking for the county to restore the Asheville City Schools tax to pre-pandemic levels.