Eastern Montgomery Elementary School will have two counselors this year, after the school board voted Tuesday to add half a position to the school.

During the budgeting process, the board decided on 1.5 counselor spots at the consolidated elementary school, but on Tuesday they decided to update the number because of staffing and student needs.

The 465-student school has a more than 60 percent of its students on free or reduced lunch prices, and often those students are considered at-risk for behavioral and academic problems.

The added half-position is needed because that person could help diffuse those problems, and also would work with Standards of Learning testing data, school officials said.

In addition, because the school does not have an assistant principal to back up principal Denise Boyle, a counselor would fill that role if she is absent.

-- Anna L. Mallory