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Hawthorne board approves contract with Horizon Healthcare Staffing for substitute nurses
Summary
Board authorized a contract with Home Care Therapies LLC (DBA Horizon Healthcare Staffing) to provide substitute nursing services; board members raised concerns about consistency, credentials and screening protocols before voting approval.
The Hawthorne Board of Education approved a contract to secure substitute nursing services from Home Care Therapies LLC, doing business as Horizon Healthcare Staffing, to fill short‑term and extended absences of district nurses.
Why it matters: District officials said the contract addresses an ongoing shortage of certified school nurses and will ensure the district can provide medically necessary coverage when staff face long‑term leaves or unexpected absences.
Discussion and rationale Finance and administration staff told the board the district has struggled to recruit in‑district substitute nurses and that a vendor contract offers a safety net for extended absences. A board member asked whether the district would receive the same nurse each day; staff said they could not guarantee the same individual but that the vendor screens candidates and provides credentials before assignments. The board noted that the district is allowed to use licensed practical nurses or other licensed practitioners for day coverage when certified school nurses are present elsewhere in the district.
Contract award and vote The resolution awarding a contract to Home Care Therapies LLC (DBA Horizon Healthcare Staffing) was moved by the finance committee and seconded by Mr. Cruz. The motion passed on a roll‑call vote with the following recorded: Ehrentraff (Yes), Goff (Yes), Mulkey Folsom (Yes), Palouse (Yes), Vega (Yes), Carr (Yes), Clavijo (Yes), Doyle (Yes), Totero (Yes). The board noted the contract includes alternative vendors if Horizon cannot fulfill requests.
Implementation and oversight Officials said the company will provide background checks and credentials on staff members before they work in buildings. The contract is intended to provide a reliable option when a nurse is out on long‑term medical leave or when planned coverage is unavailable. The district also noted its existing partnerships with local colleges have yielded some student nurse substitutes in the past but that supply alone has not been sufficient.
Next steps Administration will finalize contract terms and follow district procedures for onboarding vendor nurses and verifying credentials before deployment. The board authorized the expenditure and a contract award at the meeting.
