Laurel school board declines utilizing outside nursing company

Mar. 27—There were tears blended with the applause as school district employees and school nurses stood to show their appreciation to members of the Laurel County Board of Education on Monday evening.

The board's decision not to hire an outside group to operate the school nurse program was the prompter for the emotions — a decision that would have eliminated approximately 18 nurses from their current positions.

Board members discussed the issue at their last meeting two weeks ago with Superintendent Denise Griebel agreeing to gather information on the proposal for this week's meeting. She presented a contract from Family Health Care during Monday's meeting.

While the contract would allow the operation of nursing clinics at the county's school districts, it would eliminate the current nurses from their positions.

Griebel and School Board Attorney Conrad Cessna explained some of the specifics of the contract, including the waiver of co-pays and services to the school staff. The health care company would have enhanced the services by offering actual "clinics" in which students — and their families and school staff — could receive vaccinations and other services not currently offered by the school operated program. Griebel explained that the health care company was interested in setting up a separate clinic but if families and school staff utilized those services outside the school facilities, the co-pays would be charged for services.

Board members all questioned specifics of the contract, which would run the school system $710,000 to operate. The contract also specified a 5-year agreement with both parties having the option to cancel with a 30-day written notice. Board members also questioned whether such contractual services had been provided before, with Griebel stating that the same company had operated the program several years ago.

"That was before my time," she said. "But state law requires us to have a nurse at every A1 school. We have 15 nurses and three sub nurses."

Board member Brice Hicks asked about the future of the current nurses, stating he did not want to see 18 school employees to lose their jobs. Board members Tony Krahenbuhl, Ed Jones and Jeff Lewis and board chair Joe Karr also expressed concern as to why the past contract with the health care service had ended before they voted unanimously not to pursue the contract with Family Health Care.

That action resulted in many of the school staff and nurses standing to applaud the board members' vote as tears rolled down the faces of several school nurses present for the meeting.

Several of the staff at Wyan-Pine Grove Elementary gathered outside the board room following the decision, wearing red T-shirts that stated "I love my nurse" as a show of support for their current program.

Karen Vance is a first-grade teacher at Wyan-Pine Grove and spoke about the issue following the meeting.

"I was here to support our nurse, Rhonda Sharp. I've known Rhonda for the past 25 years but she's been our school nurse for probably the last 15," Vance said. "I cannot count how many times she's come to my rescue in the classroom with students with special needs."

Vance said the school nurses have all become familiar with the schools and the students they serve — which is an added bonus although the services the school nurses can perform is not the expanded services offered by the proposed health care company discussed during Monday's meeting. Vance said she thought the item was a discussion but learned differently during the meeting.

"I thought this was a discussion but it definitely sounded like a decision," she said. "I'm glad the board made this decision and I hope they keep it this way because the quality of care by having the same school nurse."

Shannon Moore is another Wyan-Pine Grove employee who cheered the school board's decision.

"Our children are so needy. And she knows our families," she said. "We can't do without our nurse!"

London Women's Care also expressed an interest in overseeing the nursing program but Griebel said they could not have that program established until the 2025-2026 academic year.

The North Laurel High School Lady Jaguar basketball team was also recognized for 13th Region Champs, with each team member receiving a certificate. Coach Eddie Mahan introduced the team, praising them for their hard work both athletically and academically. Griebel also recognized Mahan for being chosen as 13th Region Coach of the Year.

Board members also approved revisions to the construction at South Laurel High School. The total of those revisions was $211,838. Construction Manager David Jackson with Hacker Bros. said it is common to find underlying issues with construction projects that increases the cost. Griebel and Deputy Superintendent Tharon Hurley said the procedures for renovating the school facilities was to have a "seamless" renovation in which the additions blended with the existing facilities. The additions approved included masonry, flooring and other aspects of blending the new with the old. Board members have previously approved increasing the contingency of the project from 5% to 10%, with Jackson explaining that it is common for such action to accommodate those potential changes. Griebel explained that money for construction projects was earmarked specifically for those purposes and could not be used for other projects.

"We have the best facilities compared to other surrounding districts and across the state," she said. "When we say we have a seamless project, it means you can't tell the new from the old."

Items addressing advertising for bids for auxiliary gym projects at both high schools were tabled for the next meeting.

The re-creation of several positions was also approved. Those included a Special Needs Assistant for London Elementary and North Laurel High School, a Family Resource Director for Colony/Hazel Green Elementary, a Family Resource Secretary for Hunter Hills Elementary and a Grounds Worker for the school district/NLHS.