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New Strategies For School Health Care

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 6, 2007

The Aug. 30 story regarding our school health services left your readers with the misimpression that we do not have adequate health coverage in our schools. I'd like to set the record straight.

The fact that we have reduced the number of nurses does not mean our schools have inadequate coverage. As I explained to a group of nurses, we are committed to ensuring that children are safe. Our medically fragile children will get the medical supervision they need. Other children will have a health care provider available for minor medical issues and in case of an emergency. The challenge is to provide those services strategically because funds are dwindling.

In recent years, we had more nurses and health assistants in our schools than most school districts. We have been fortunate to get extra federal and state funding in the past to provide additional nurses and health assistants. We happily supplemented our ranks in the belief that a district could not have too many registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and health assistants. Recently much of that funding has dried up.

Last year we had more than 310 health providers throughout the district. Ideally, we would keep that same number. However, budget cuts throughout the state have forced changes and have led to soul searching and priority setting. Clearly, our priorities are student achievement and student health and safety. We must use our dollars wisely to provide both.

Since last school year, we have had a net loss of 67 health providers due to attrition, leaving 250 health care providers to cover our 220 school sites. I believe we are now at a number that provides the level of districtwide coverage that we need - even if it is not as much as we would want. That is what happens when you face budget reductions.

I met last week with a group of nurses and heard their concerns. They are dedicated and sincere about their concerns. It is in their DNA to be concerned about the health and welfare of children. I am a career educator; looking out for children is in my DNA as well. I know what I told them wasn't what they wanted to hear, but I leveled with them. They are being asked to do more, and I believe they understood the realities.

At the meeting with the nurses, we sought solutions. Some of the duties now handled by nurses (such as height and weight measurements of children) could be incorporated into classroom activities. We are considering hiring part-time nurses and health assistants at the busiest times of the school year. I'm confident that together we will find solutions to continue to ensure the safety of our students.

MaryEllen Elia is superintendent of Hillsborough County schools.

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