District reviews MOU to expand school-based health centers to three additional schools

Health Services Incorporated representatives outlined a proposed memorandum of understanding with Montgomery Public Schools to expand school-based health centers to three additional campuses.

Ebony Evans, the marketing director for Health Services Inc., told the board the provider operated school-based services beginning in 2020 at Bellingrad, Chisholm, Davis and Highland Garden elementaries and recorded a peak of 254 patients in the 2021–22 school year. Under the proposed MOU the service footprint would initially include Percy Julian High School, George Washington Carver High School and Brubaker Middle School.

Evans described a hybrid delivery model using medical pods and a nurse practitioner stationed at one campus, with telehealth and on-site staff to take vitals, triage and connect students with a nurse practitioner or other provider. She said services would be available to students if parents complete an application or otherwise provide consent, and staff and faculty would also be eligible to use the center.

"So as long as we have that application filled out by the parent...prior to or consent can be given," Evans said when asked whether a visiting student from another campus could receive care.

Evans said the organization hopes the three-site pilot will scale to more schools if staffing and demand allow, and that a dental unit could be added after initial rollout. Board members asked clarifying questions about parental consent and operations; Health Services representatives said they would address questions in follow-up and provide requested details to the district.

No formal vote on the MOU was taken at the work session; staff asked trustees to consider the partnership and expect a return with formal agreement language.