Three Rivers board tables Syscue school-based health contract after heated public debate

The Three Rivers School District Board of Directors voted April 15 to table a contract with Syscue Community Health Center after an extended public-comment period that sharply divided community members.

Supporters of the contract — including booster-club representatives, coaches, classified staff and parents — told the board that the school-based health centers (SBHCs) in district schools reduce barriers to care, provide same-day sports physicals and concussion support, and have helped lower absenteeism. Derek H. Hotchkiss, vice president of the North Valley Boosters Club, asked the board to approve the contract to “continue this valuable program,” saying clinic services help students participate in extracurriculars. North Valley coaches and athletic staff described streamlined return-to-play processes and on-site care that reduces missed class time.

Opponents raised questions about confidentiality and parental notification, and several speakers said newly published SBHC certification standards (referred to in the hearing) will require clinics that receive state funding to provide contraception options, counseling referrals and gender-related services. Terry Mard and others urged the board to reject the contract, arguing the standards strip parents of oversight and that the district faces a binary choice — accept a clinic that offers those services or lose the clinic entirely.

Eric Van Hton, CEO of Syscue Community Health Center, addressed the board and said the centers provide “basic, common-sense and evidence-based care” and that services are provided by licensed medical professionals in accordance with state law. He said parents remain primary decision makers in their children’s care and described SBHCs as removing access barriers for families who otherwise face transportation or scheduling challenges.

Board members expressed concern about conflicting statements in public testimony and said they needed time to review written comments and verify what version-five SBHC standards will require in practice. Trustee Rick (last name not recorded in the transcript) and others said the legal and operational details — specifically what contraception methods would be available and how parental notification is handled under state law — require more scrutiny.

After discussion the board voted to delay a final decision until the next regular meeting so trustees could review the submitted letters, confirm regulatory requirements and meet with clinic representatives as needed. The board’s motion to table passed.

What happens next: Board members said staff will gather authoritative guidance on SBHC certification requirements, Syscue’s formal commitments in the contract, and any available parental-notification procedures before the May meeting, when the contract will return to the agenda if still pending.