School nurses say better staffing, data and funding would let them identify health‑related absenteeism earlier

Representatives of the Georgia Association of School Nurses told the committee that licensed school nurses are a critical early detection and intervention point for health‑related chronic absenteeism, and that statewide staffing is insufficient to meet needs.

Melanie Bales, state director of the Georgia Association of School Nurses, said chronic absenteeism often stems from health issues — unmanaged chronic conditions, immunization access, mental‑health concerns and housing instability — and that school nurses can identify patterns through clinic visits and attendance monitoring. Bales said early intervention and individualized health care plans reduce avoidable absences.

The association’s 2024 staffing data showed only 37% of Georgia public schools had a full‑time nurse on a daily basis. Presenters said many districts do not have competitive compensation to recruit nurses from hospitals and that nurses frequently cover multiple schools, limiting day‑to‑day proactive work. The nurses urged the committee to support: one licensed nurse in every school, improved data‑sharing and attendance tracking tools for health staff, funding for supplies and continuing education, and policies that link health services to attendance interventions.

Speakers provided a case example of an 18‑year‑old senior whose unmanaged asthma and unaddressed bereavement were discovered after repeated school‑health visits; coordinated care with a school‑based health center and community partners allowed the student to re‑engage in school and obtain a medical home.