Keystone Central LPNs ask to be added to support-services MOU, warn of staffing shortfalls

Three licensed practical nurses told the Keystone Central SD personnel committee on Thursday that they should be included in the district’s support-services memorandum of understanding and receive a proposed raise, warning that current pay levels are hampering recruitment and could leave buildings short-staffed.

Haley Burrows, an LPN at Central Mountain High School, said LPNs hold medical licenses and postsecondary credentials and often perform many of the same duties as registered nurses. "Nurses are responsible for every student in their building," Burrows said, noting that LPNs sometimes work without an RN on site and cover virtual academy students as well as daily nursing visits.

Burrows and colleagues Ashley Beckdolt (LPN, Central Mountain Middle School) and Chrissy Wortwood (LPN, Liberty Curtain and Mill Hall elementary schools) asked that their proposed raise be added to the current proposed MOU being developed for property-services employees. They told the committee that some LPN positions have been open about four months, that one employee is retiring this year, and that applicants have declined offers after seeing the district’s posted pay—"they realized once it's... less than the $19 now," they said.

Committee members asked administrative and timing questions about contracts and next steps. Chair Chris said the committee cannot itself change contracts and will convey the nurses' concerns to the full board; "we'll discuss this amongst ourselves and with the board and we'll get back to you," the chair said.

The nurses described additional nonwage strains: LPNs cover multiple buildings, fill in on field trips, and may be pulled out of the office to meet emergency needs, which creates scheduling challenges and reduces time for routine office work. The nurses also said some summer and PRN work opportunities are limited because local employers prefer longer-term or guaranteed schedules.

The committee did not vote on the request during the public session. Board members noted the district’s contract cycle (a four-year contract was cited) and said they would review the LPNs’ written materials and consider placement of the item on a future board agenda.

The personnel committee meeting moved on to other MOUs and job descriptions after the nurses’ presentation; the public portion concluded with the committee scheduling items for the full board and planning an executive session on a personnel matter.