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Ferguson‑Florissant officials propose hybrid nursing model, seek budget amendment to expand coverage
Summary
District health services presented a hybrid model combining district nurses and contracted agency staff to cover medical needs across all buildings and requested a budget amendment to increase agency staffing funds; board received the report for information and asked questions about nurse placement and substitute coverage.
District health services on Wednesday outlined a hybrid nursing model and a proposed budget amendment intended to ensure every Ferguson‑Florissant R‑II school has professional medical coverage.
Dr. Eimhoff, the district’s health-services lead, told the board the district manages roughly 235 documented chronic-condition cases drawn from Infinite Campus records, with asthma, allergies and food allergies the most common. He said younger grades carry a higher concentration of needs and that the district also supports higher‑risk students with conditions such as diabetes, seizures and sickle‑cell disease.
"These student health needs create a critical requirement for adequate professional medical staffing in every school to ensure a safe, supportive learning environment," Dr. Eimhoff said.
The presentation described a blended staffing approach that combines district-employed nurses and clinic aides with contracted agency personnel (identified in materials as RoHealth) to provide coverage and flexibility across buildings. Dr. Eimhoff said the proposed increase in agency‑staff funding is intended to expand that partnership so all buildings are staffed.
Board members asked whether registered nurses are prioritized at the schools with greatest need and how the district handles absences given a nationwide nursing shortage. Dr. Eimhoff replied that each building has at least an RN or licensed professional and that the district uses building clinic aides and agency nurses to provide cross‑building coverage as needed.
The presentation was informational; the board did not take action on the item but thanked staff for the detailed report. The superintendent said staff would follow up on any specific casework raised during public comment.
