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Sumner County approves lease for pilot school-based clinic in Portland
Summary
The board approved a lease with Sumner Physician Practices to convert a classroom at JW Wiseman in Portland into a family clinic funded and built by regional health partners. The tenant will pay $19,057.5 a year in lieu of some charity-care receipts; parental consent is required for student care and the clinic would serve the wider community.
The Sumner County Board of Education voted Sept. 23 to approve a lease allowing Sumner Physician Practices (in partnership with High Point Health/Sumner Regional/Ascension/St. Thomas) to build out and operate a clinic in a classroom at JW Wiseman in Portland.
Under the agreement described to the board, the health partners would provide capital to renovate the roughly 1,089-square-foot classroom and would pay the district $19,057.50 per year in base rent (the board's presentation described that amount as the monetized value of uncollectible net receivables/charity care). The partners proposed using funds to cover visits for underinsured or uninsured students; if the cost of charity care exceeded the $19,057.50 payment, the tenant would absorb that excess under its charitable-care policy, the director said.
Director Dr. Linford and health services staff emphasized that parental consent would be required before any student receives care; the clinic would not substitute for the district's school nurses. The partners plan to staff the clinic with at least one provider and possibly a district nurse practitioner; final hours will be negotiated after the buildout. The director said the pilot aims to reduce chronic absenteeism by offering local, timely care in an area designated as a health-care desert.
Board member Lancaster moved the lease approval; Mr. Evans seconded. The board approved the lease by voice vote.
