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Board reviews supplemental nursing contracts after staffing gaps expose pay disparities
Summary
Committee members reviewed supplemental nursing vendor contracts and a renewal for a primary school‑nurse contractor, questioned large hourly rate gaps versus district‑employed nurses, and asked staff to explore pay changes to reduce reliance on expensive contractors.
Health services staff presented two related items: (1) a recommended “not to exceed” framework for supplemental nursing agency contracts (multiple vendors) to cover IEP‑mandated and medically necessary services (diabetes care, catheterization, seizures, medication administration) and substitute needs; and (2) a recommended renewal for RCM Health Care Services to supply school nurses and nurse liaisons. Committee materials listed hourly billing rates for supplemental RNs and LPNs used as needed and the RCM contract numbers to support up to the fiscal ceiling.
Administrators explained the supplemental contracts are intended as a stop‑gap for vacancies, absences and coverage for medically required services under IEPs. The committee heard that the supplemental vendor RN hourly rates can be substantially higher than district‑employed RN pay. Board members asked why the district relies on higher‑paid contract nurses and whether the district should raise in‑house RN compensation to recruit and retain full‑time district nurses and reduce contract costs. Interim Superintendent Richmond said staff will explore increasing district RN pay to attract in‑house hires and reduce dependence on supplemental contracts, but acknowledged this may require budget adjustments.
Board members also asked for historical spend data for supplemental nursing services and for clearer feeder‑pattern assignments for RCM nurses (the goal is more stable, feeder‑aligned nursing coverage rather than nurses rotating across many schools). Staff agreed to provide prior‑year expenditures and a plan for RN deployment and pay strategy.
