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Parents and school leaders say DC Health’s cluster nurse model leaves gaps in onsite coverage
Summary
Multiple parents, school leaders and health groups told the committee that the cluster model—one nurse and teams covering multiple schools—has reduced full‑time onsite nursing, increased burnout, and risks student safety; they urged clearer staffing benchmarks and more nurses in schools.
Parents, nurses and school staff said the transition of school health services into DC Health and the cluster staffing model have left many schools with inconsistent on‑site nurse coverage and unclear expectations.
“Today there are fewer nurses employed in the health suites program than before the cluster model was implemented,” parent advocate Sarah Buckley told the committee, adding that many schools now receive only 20 hours a week or phone coverage rather than a nurse in the building. PUSH and parent advisory groups said their advisory charter review has been constrained and asked the council to require published coverage metrics and compliance with CDC guidance for nurse‑to‑student ratios.
School leaders and charter representatives said the new Administration has improved communication in some areas but that new training requirements (AOM medication administration) have not been rolled out to previously trained staff, creating compliance risk. Witnesses recommended pilot funding allowing willing LEAs to hire their own nurses, stronger recruitment and retention incentives, and public transparency on who covers each school and with what credentials.
