Seattle — Some Seattle Public Schools (SPS) students voiced concerns about school safety and mental health at Tuesday’s Seattle City Council Budget Committee meeting.
Members of the Seattle Student Union are advocating for additional mental health funding for Seattle schools. Student groups shared their experiences and concerns during a public comment period at Tuesday night’s meeting.
“We are calling for $20 million for mental health resources for high schools across the Seattle area. Mental health resources are a proven necessity for students in this day and age, which is why students have access to mental health resources. We need funding to put in place health resources,” Fatollah Hussein, a senior at Franklin High School, told the Seattle City Council.
“You have the ability and the responsibility to change all of this by fully funding mental health resources in schools,” Leo Farit Baiamonte told the Seattle City Council.
Hussain and Farit Baiamonte both serve on the executive committee of the Seattle Student Union.
Nathan Hale sophomore Farit Baiamonte told KOMO News that the organization believes Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell’s budget proposal includes: Over $19 million School safety and mental health measures alone are not enough.
The Mayor’s Office sent a statement to KOMO News detailing the city’s commitment to youth mental health. The city’s plan includes a “comprehensive, research-driven approach.”
“This $19.25 million is in addition to the existing $12.5 million in general fund investments made for youth safety through the Department of Human Services, bringing the total annual investment from both sources combined up to $31.75 million. ” said Mayor Press Secretary Carrie Craighead.
The mayor’s office stressed that the city will use residents’ tax dollars wisely and responsibly, and that its primary goal is students.
“$19 million is not a huge amount in any way,” Farit Baiamonte said. “We need to know where this money is going to go.” “We need more funding for counselors in schools, and we need a voice at the table.”
He said the Seattle Student Union believes youth city councils and youth advisory boards give students a seat at the table, give them a voice in the process, and bring transparency. Students also want to know if their funding will be renewed.
“Grief and trauma lasts years, not a week. We don’t need one week of care. We need ongoing care at school and ongoing support to talk about anything about the shooting or everyday life. We need medical resources,” Farit Baiamonte said. “Students can’t find the care they need. Some don’t even know therapists exist, and many therapists are still fully booked.”
The calls for change and more resources began two years ago when a Seattle student was fatally shot inside Ingraham High School. The shooting occurred after a fight in the boys’ restroom during school hours.
Dozens of students walked out of class at Ingraham High School on Friday, marking the second anniversary of the school shooting, demanding more safety measures and the availability of on-campus mental health counselors.
Students participating in the strike told KOMO News they also want the school to lock the front door during school hours and install a buzzer system to prevent visitors from entering.
The boy who shot and killed 17-year-old Ebenezer Heil in 2022 pleaded guilty in June to three separate charges, including first-degree murder. He was 14 years old at the time of the shooting. After entering the plea, he was immediately sentenced to juvenile detention until the age of 21, with no possibility of early release.
In August, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell initially announced more than $14.5 million for additional counselors, on-campus security and presence of Seattle police near schools with the highest rates of violence.
The funding also comes after 17-year-old Garfield High School student Amar Murphy Payne was shot and killed in June. He was reportedly trying to break up a fight when he was shot outside the school during his lunch break, according to witnesses. So far, police have not arrested him for his murder. Seattle Police continue to ask witnesses to call the Violent Crimes Report Line at 206-233-5000.
After KOMO News contacted Ingraham High School students about their concerns, SPS responded Friday with the following statement:
Seattle Public Schools (SPS) is more committed than ever to the well-being of our students. As we mark two years since the Ingraham High School shooting, we know this is a difficult time for our students, staff, and community, which is why SPS continues to prioritize the mental health and safety of our students. I will continue to do so.
District leaders always want students and staff to feel safe and supported on and around campus. All locks and iPhones (buzzer systems) at Ingraham High School have been updated and installed. The district is working diligently with Ingraham School leaders to coordinate the necessary staffing to monitor all iPhone entrances to ensure the campus is as safe as possible.
Mr. Ingraham received a $1 million grant to provide safety services and mental health supports to students and staff. SPS recently partnered with the City of Seattle to expand mental health support for SPS students. We are actively finalizing implementation of our plan, which includes hiring additional mental health counselors and care coordinators, expanding access to telehealth therapy services, and more.
KOMO News is investigating how many counselors have been hired and how many are dedicated to Ingraham and other schools.
