Last year, the North Carolina General Assembly passed the Parent Bill of Rights, yet recent revelations have uncovered a potentially life-threatening oversight within its wording, as acknowledged by Dana Ayers, Superintendent of Jackson County Public Schools.
Ayers expressed concerns, particularly regarding students exhibiting suicidal tendencies, stating that while obtaining parental consent for surveys or evaluations isn’t typically an obstacle, it becomes one when dealing with urgent cases like suicidal ideation.
In response, school systems statewide are drafting resolutions advocating for an exception to the Parent Bill of Rights concerning suicide risk assessments. Ayers presented a version of this resolution to the school board on March 19, urging their support to highlight the necessity of addressing student well-being promptly.
The Parent Bill of Rights mandates parental consent for students to participate in any survey or assessment revealing mental health issues, including suicide screeners. Notably, a suicide screener is distinct from a comprehensive risk assessment, focusing on immediate crisis risk and being less invasive.
While Ayers emphasized the importance of parental involvement, he stressed the urgency of initiating the screening process to ensure student safety, underscoring that the ultimate goal is to keep students secure and alive.
The resolution proposed by the Jackson County Board of Education seeks an amendment allowing schools to conduct suicide risk screeners without prior parental consent, with notification provided afterward. This amendment aims to facilitate swift intervention for at-risk students while still involving parents in the process.
Although the intent of the Parent Bill of Rights wasn’t to hinder suicide risk assessments, its current language inadvertently applies to them, as acknowledged by Board Attorney Chris Campbell. The board unanimously approved the resolution, which will now be forwarded to the General Assembly for consideration.
No immediate changes to existing policies will occur unless the General Assembly addresses and approves the resolution, yet there’s optimism that raising awareness of this issue will prompt legislative action.
