District proposes regional nursing model to address shortages; staff and parents warn of safety risks
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Summary
The administration proposed shifting from a nurse‑per‑building model to six regional teams (9–11 nurses per region) to address staffing shortages and inequities in student‑to‑nurse ratios. Staff and parents warned about continuity and student safety implications.
The Anchorage School District on Feb. 17 proposed a regional nursing model to redistribute nursing staff across six regions, citing chronic nurse shortages and inequitable student‑to‑nurse ratios.
Deputy Chief of Schools Kirsten Johnson described the proposal as student‑focused: "This model would be absolutely focused on student medical needs as the primary driver for how staffing is decided," and outlined a six‑region plan with 9–11 nurses per region serving 12–14 buildings. Administrators said the regional approach is intended to provide more equitable coverage, reduce daily inequities, and allow nurses to be assigned where medical acuity requires full‑time coverage.
Administration framed the proposal as adaptive: some schools with daily complex medical needs would retain full‑time nurse assignments while smaller schools might be paired and share part‑time coverage. Charter schools could choose to retain their own nurse staffing or opt into the regional model.
Why it matters: presenters said the district currently averages double‑digit absences for nursing substitutes and has four unfilled nursing positions; that shortage complicates daily coverage and can force less‑trained staff to provide care. The regional model is presented as a way to prioritize licensed nurses for high‑need sites and allow more predictable daily coverage across the system.
Staff and parents expressed concerns during testimony about continuity of care and student safety. An ASD employee argued nurses ‘‘are at the heart of our school, and without them, we're gonna be on life support,’’ and asked specifically who would fill the gaps if nurses are moved to a regional model.
Next steps: the proposal was presented for board consideration and public input; the administration said it would continue refining acuity assessments to determine assignments if the board directs implementation.