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District proposes 0.6 FTE more nursing time at Parker private school; aims to reduce secondary nurse caseloads
Summary
Officials told the board they will seek a 0.6 full-time-equivalent (three days per week) increase in nursing coverage at Parker private school after its enrollment roughly doubled. The district said the added FTE would be partially funded by the private school and free a floating nurse to provide more in-district coverage a
The district’s nursing supervisor reported a recommended staffing change to increase coverage at Parker, a private school served by the district, and to reduce high student-to-nurse ratios at the secondary level.
What administrators said A district nursing lead told the board the district employs six full-time in-district nurses plus an additional nurse who floats between buildings and primarily supports the middle and high schools. Parker’s enrollment has roughly doubled since the district set its current nursing arrangement, the presenter said; the administration recommended adding 0.6 FTE to Parker (three days per week) so Parker’s nursing needs are met and the floating nurse can return to district buildings.
Mandate and cost-recovery District staff said the district is mandated to provide services at Parker because students there come from multiple sending districts; Parker would reimburse part of the nursing costs under the inter-district agreement. The presenter said the district would bill other districts for the service and that the reimbursement would not cover the full cost but would reduce the net district expense.
Student-to-nurse ratios and benchmarking The presenter showed district benchmarks and national guidance: the National Association of School Nurses recommends a ratio of about 750:1 for secondary schools. Administrators said the district’s nominal ratio at the high school is about 600:1 on paper (because of a floating nurse), but that on many days a single nurse might be the only professional on site with up to 900 students present. The proposed additional Parker coverage is intended to lower in-district nurse caseloads and increase overall coverage.
Board reaction and next steps Board members thanked nursing staff and asked procedural questions about cost-sharing and whether the Parker reimbursement covers the full incremental cost (administrators said it would not fully cover the FTE but that existing inter-district billing and health contracts reduce the net impact). Administrators said the recommended 0.6 FTE would be included in the budget proposal for board review.
