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Board OKs special‑education nursing and related‑services contracts not to exceed $2.9 million
Summary
The Craven County Board approved contract authority to provide one‑to‑one nursing and related special‑education services after staff said nine students currently require continuous nursing support. The board approved contracts totaling $822,690 for nursing and $1,900,000 for related services.
The Craven County Board of Education approved contracts to provide nursing and related services for students with significant medical needs, authorizing not‑to‑exceed amounts that together total $2,900,000 for the coming year.
Shelley (presentation) A staff member who presented the item explained these contracts fund nursing services required by individual education plans (IEPs) when a doctor has recommended one‑to‑one nursing or other medically prescribed supports. The presenter said nine students currently require a one‑to‑one nurse or licensed nursing care during the school day; care needs include seizure management, tracheostomy care, low oxygen monitoring and other medically complex needs.
Contract amounts and vendors The presentation separates the budget: nursing contracts are listed at approximately $822,690 and related‑services contracts (speech, occupational and physical therapy vendors) at about $1,900,000. Staff said the district must work with multiple vendors — about 10 providers — because hiring direct, in‑district staff for all of these needs has proven difficult.
Remote services as last resort In response to board questions, staff explained that teletherapy (speech therapy provided by video with an on‑site facilitator) was used in a small number of instances this year as an approved, last‑resort option when no local provider could be recruited. The presenter said teletherapy is permitted by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and is used only when in‑person services cannot be arranged.
Action and context A motion to approve the contracts as presented passed by roll call vote with all board members recorded as voting yes. The district described the totals as not to exceed amounts to allow for enrollment changes or additional services should additional students require medically prescribed support; if the contract totals must be exceeded, staff said they will return to the board for additional authority.
Why it matters These contracts fund mandatory services required by students’ IEPs. Board approval authorizes the district to secure third‑party vendors to meet medical and therapy needs the district cannot staff directly, ensuring continuity of services for medically complex students.
