School-based health clinics at risk after federal funding shortfall, superintendent says

During the superintendent’s report on July 13, he said school-based health clinics run in partnership with Southwest Community Health Systems are in jeopardy because of a federal funding shortfall that has already led to equipment removal in some localities.

The superintendent provided context for the division’s school‑health services: more than 36,000 nurse office visits last year, 4,300 mandated vision and hearing screenings, and about 33,400 clinic visits that allowed students to return to class. He said the program’s school‑based, in‑person health visits (812 visits the prior year through a Southwest Community Health Systems partnership) have been funded in part by federal grants and that changes in federal distribution mean the partner can no longer guarantee the service as previously structured.

"At this point, it is at best in limbo, at worst, potentially no longer available," the superintendent said, urging the board that staff are working with Southwest Community Health Systems and exploring other medical providers while federal and congressional staff look at options.

He said two clinics currently operate half days (High Point and John Battle high schools), with half‑day clinics previously approved for Avenue Elementary and Watauga (the latter intended also to serve the Damascus area) but that program expansion was paused when the funding issue emerged. Board members asked which clinics are at risk and were told some districts had already pulled equipment; the superintendent said he had asked the partner not to remove equipment while the division seeks alternatives.

What’s next: The superintendent said he will keep the board updated while staff and legislators pursue options to sustain or reconfigure the service.