ASHTABULA TOWNSHIP — The Buckeye Local Schools Board of Education voted Tuesday evening to reduce the presence of school nurses in district buildings during the coming school year.
Member Sharon Schoneman cast the lone vote against the controversial measure, which will save the district $16,682.70 annually. Board president Norah Anderson was absent because of a medical issue.
The move is an economy resulting from closing Pierpont Elementary School; however, Schoneman said that fewer buildings do not equate to fewer students or a decreased need for school-nurse services. She feels it is important to have three hours of school-nurse presence in each building per day.
“That’s good practice,” she said.
Under the new plan, which was recommended by Superintendent Nancy Williams in April, there will be a districtwide reduction in nurse presence in the buildings, from 75.75 hours per week to 68 hours per week.
Williams told the board in April that although the district has lost 150 students since 2004, it had not made an adjustment in nursing hours to reflect that loss of enrollment.
Prior to taking the vote, the board heard from a Ridgeview parent and two nurses who work in the district, all three of whom spoke against the plan. The nurses pointed out the many challenges they face every day in their jobs and the specialized nature of their work, which will be shifted onto secretaries and principals in their absence.
“If you were a patient in the hospital, would you allow a secretary to give you your medicine?” asked Judy Mudd, nurse at Edgewood Senior High. “Yet this practice goes unquestioned in our schools.”
Mudd said school nurses are “clearly money well spent,” but members Mark Estock, Jacqueline Hillyer and Mary Wisnyai, looking at future deficits and a murky funding and economic future, voted for the reduction in hours.
The board tabled the recommendation two months ago so Williams could gather more information on the matter and report back to members. Estock said it was “another tough” decision but was confident the superintendent and administration had done their research and he was satisfied with the answers they provided.
In separate but related action, the board reduced the contract for nurse Juli Meaney from 23.75 hours per week to 16. Meaney has been a school nurse for 10 years.
The board went into executive session at the close of the public portion of the meaning, the session being held to discuss the sale of public property.
Local News
Buckeye BOE reduces school nurse time
- Local News
-
-
Six ready to interview for Buckeye’s super job
The Buckeye Local Board of Education will conduct interviews with six superintendent hopefuls next week, said Board President Jacqueline Hillyer.
-
Shooting suspect to be tried as adult
A 17-year-old will be tried as an adult in the school shooting deaths of three students, a juvenile court judge ruled Thursday after hearing a sheriff’s deputy describe how the teen wore a T-shirt with the word “Killer” and admitted shooting people.
-
Ohio EPA takes AIM at site of hazardous wastes
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency staff members returned this week to the site of the now-bankrupt Ashtabula Iron and Metal on West 30th Street to take samples of the unknown liquids and analyze hazardous wastes, asbestos and other potential health and environmental concerns.
-
Commissioners look at selling nursing beds
Commissioners have retained the services of a law firm that specializes in the sale of excess nursing home beds as the board looks at ways to raise additional revenues.
-
Conneaut looks at demolition funds
The city is making preparations to secure its share of nearly $692,000 in demolition funds expected to be Ashtabula County’s portion of a multi-billion dollar settlement with national mortgage lenders.
-
Volunteers get more help than needed at rescue spot
Despite their good intentions, Edward and Mary proved more hindrance than help to the Conneaut KeyBank employees lending a helping hand Thursday to a farm animal rescue operation in Kingsville Township.
-
220 graduate at Lakeside
Thursday night was a time of pomp, circumstance and smiles as 220 seniors graduated from Lakeside High School.
-
Lost money?
There is no map, and “X” may not mark the spot, but hundreds of Ashtabula County residents may have unclaimed cash ready and waiting for them through the Ohio Department of Commerce.
-
Lane to be tried as adult in Chardon High shooting
A 17-year-old boy will be tried as an adult in the school shooting deaths of three students, a juvenile court judge ruled Thursday.
-
Happy Hearts School holds commencement for its Class of 2012
As commencement exercises go in Ashtabula County, the one at Happy Hearts School was small, with just five students.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Six ready to interview for Buckeye’s super job
