AUSTIN, Texas — Dripping Springs ISD is joining other Central Texas school districts in allowing chaplains to volunteer as mental health professionals in schools.
Monday night’s school board vote stemmed from a new state law that allows public schools to use chaplains in mental health support roles.
District leaders said they welcome the help but believe mental health support should be left to trained and educated professionals.
On Tuesday night, Dripping Springs ISD leaders voted to allow chaplains in schools as volunteers, not paid staff, so they say the program they have in place now will not be changing.
"I do hope that the community will be happy with the resolution to keep things status quo because I do think it incorporates all the community voices that we heard very well," said Olivia Barnard, a Dripping Springs ISD board member.
Leaders said chaplains will not take over the role that mental health professionals already serve.