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School nurse reports staffing cuts, higher clinic visits; board moves wellness revisions to first reading
Summary
Nurse Leah Foley told the Spooner Area School District board the health office lost hours and staff capacity, reported higher clinic visits and screenings results, and recommended wellness-policy wording to encourage USDA Smart Snacks; the board agreed to move the revised wellness policy to first reading.
Leah Foley, the district nurse, told the Spooner Area School District board that the health office is operating with two staff members this year instead of three after COVID-era funding reductions. "This year we had two of us instead of three of us in the health office," Foley said, and she estimated the change reduced support hours by about 675 for the year.
Foley said clinic activity increased even as staffing decreased. She reported roughly 2,991 student visits at the elementary school this year compared with 1,729 the prior year and described a rise in medication management and health plans: "we've got about 37 significant ones that we are managing." Foley said immunization compliance had been 99.1% last year (up from 96.8%), but added that new immunization requirements for seventh- and 12th-graders will require extra follow-up and record tracking.
The nurse summarized screenings and community partnerships: about 50 vision referrals led to six students receiving glasses, and North Lakes provided approximately $23,000 in dental services this year. Foley acknowledged the Lions Club for helping repair or replace at least five pairs of students' glasses.
Following Foley's report, the board and wellness team reviewed proposed wording changes to the district wellness policy. The suggested edits would encourage — rather than mandate — that foods offered to students during the school day meet the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards, and would promote non-food celebrations and staff-wellness activities. Foley explained the intent was to align policy language with Department of Public Instruction guidance and to make the policy more readable while preserving its focus on nutrition and physical activity.
Board members asked clarifying questions about implementation and consistency with existing sponsorship and food-service practices. The board reached consensus to move the revised wellness policy to the first reading at the next regular board meeting.
