Yakima educators, nurses press board to address nurse staffing, safety and lunch breaks

Yakima School Board members heard extended testimony on March 18 from union representatives, current and former school nurses and community members who said current staffing and protocols put students and nurses at risk.

Frances Guerrero, representing the Yakima Education Association, told the board that a former district nurse described a situation in which a single nurse on duty had to manage multiple students needing injectable medication, inhalers and routine care at the same time. "The district faces a serious staffing and support issue, not a nursing problem," Guerrero said, urging the board to increase nursing staff and implement systems such as double checks used in hospitals.

Why it matters: Nurses described sustained staffing shortages and high workloads — including managing students with diabetes, seizures and cardiac conditions — that they say make safe care and uninterrupted duty‑free lunches impossible. Board members and the superintendent discussed funding constraints but acknowledged the issue is…