New Hanover County Commissioners unanimously approves changes to school nurse policy
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Just days into the start of the new school year, New Hanover County Commissioners discussed a major topic of concern for students, a lack of nurses.
On Thursday, New Hanover County Commissioners unanimously approved a policy ensuring every school in the district has an on-site nurse.
State law does not require a nurse in every school, with 35 full-time nurses working for the district during the 20-16-17 school year.
However, the district began implementing one in every school during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 46 in place by the 2022-23 school year.
After state and federal funds to hire extra nurses ran out last year, the board had to make tough financial choices, so it reverted to its pre-pandemic plan.
Hundreds of messages from residents were sent to commissioners, but according to Chairman Bill Rivenbark, some went too far.
“I got probably 150 emails and the one that stands out the most is this lady, I won’t say her name,” Rivenbark said. “She said ‘I hope you have kids or grandkids in school, they don’t have a nurse and they get sick.’ That’s the kind of emails we’ve been getting.”
New Hanover County School Superintendent Christopher Barnes said the board going back to a “nurse in every school” policy will help thousands of students.
“We have significant health needs with students and this is just a step towards making sure that we are the best option for education in this, in this city, and in this town and in this state,” Barnes said. “So really appreciate the county commissioners looking at this again, realizing the need that we had and pivoting.”
Commissioner LeAnn Pierce said the county needs to ensure this policy change has the funding to last more than one year.
“We do have the sale of the Cape Fear Community College Nursing building,” Pierce said. “We have 11 million dollars back on that and we have that money, but we need to look at sustainable funding, not one time funding for these reoccurring costs.”
Barnes said the school district will work with the Health Department as they begin the process of hiring more nurses, but he didn’t have a date for when every position would be filled.
