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Johnson County Board tables telehealth MOU with EMD, schedules work session
Summary
The Johnson County Board of Education postponed a decision on renewing or revising its Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with telehealth vendor EMD, opting to hold a work session with nurses and potential alternate vendors and to revisit the contract before the 60‑day renewal notice deadline.
The Johnson County Board of Education voted to table consideration of its telehealth memorandum of understanding with EMD and to hold a work session so staff, school nurses and prospective vendors can present options.
Board members discussed three options presented in the packet: continue under a new MOU that would allow a school‑system nurse practitioner to provide telehealth during the school day with no additional pay; require EMD to assign a non‑school‑system employee nurse practitioner; or terminate the EMD contract immediately or at the end of the school year. The board directed staff to schedule a work session, invite EMD and any interested alternate vendors, and bring nursing staff to explain operational needs.
Wendy, who the board identified as overseeing the telehealth program, told the board, “We do need telehealth.” Board members repeatedly said they did not want to interrupt the service while they evaluate options. One member noted the current MOU contains an automatic renewal clause and that a party must notify the other at least 60 days before the end of the current term to decline renewal; board discussion placed that 60‑day deadline around April 1 for the existing term.
Trustees said they would continue the service while obtaining cost and staffing details and that the work session would give the board time to assess alternate vendors without a gap in service. The board approved a motion to table the item until next month and to convene the work session; recorded roll call responses in the transcript include Mr. Greenman: yes; Mr. Robinson: yes; Mr. Long: yes. (The transcript shows the motion and roll call as noted; other roll‑call entries were not provided verbatim.)
Board members also asked staff to clarify contractual language, including the MOU’s term, the automatic renewal provision and the mechanism for providing notice of nonrenewal. Staff said they would contact the district’s contacts at EMD (Chris was referenced) to confirm dates and renewal mechanics before the work session.
Next steps: staff will schedule the work session, invite EMD and other vendors to present, and ensure nursing staff attend to describe clinical use and coverage needs. The board will reconsider the item at a future meeting so any termination or modification can comply with the MOU’s notice requirements.
