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Parents raise alarm over nurse coverage, allergy safety at Parker School
Summary
Parents at the Feb. 11 Hackensack Board meeting said there may be no nurse on duty during lunch at Nellie K. Parker School; parents with children who have anaphylaxis urged the district to ensure continuous coverage and offered volunteer help.
Parents at the Hackensack Board of Education meeting said they are worried about student safety after describing times when no nurse was present at Nellie K. Parker during lunch periods.
"As a registered nurse, I know it's the importance of having a nurse there in an emergency, and I think it should possibly be best coverage be provided to all the elementary students during this time," said Donna, a resident who identified herself as a registered nurse during public comment. Amanda Green, who identified herself earlier in the meeting as a parent of two Parker students, said both of her children have severe peanut allergies and said she is "very concerned that there's no nurse in the school for that lunch period." Green urged the board to clarify how crisis team response would work in an emergency.
Speakers said staffing shortages are a broader, statewide issue, and board representatives acknowledged the concern and said the superintendent and HR are working to fill positions. A staff member clarified that there is no districtwide freeze on supplies and said the district will investigate why some classrooms reported missing paper. The board asked parents to sign a contact sheet so staff could follow up.
Trustees discussed the idea of parent volunteers but raised liability and background-check questions; the vice president said the board would consult the new law firm about legal and liability issues related to parent volunteers. Board members asked the superintendent to follow up and report back to the board.
