B6.24 - Approve the Memorandum of Agreement Renewal #1 with the State of Florida, Department of Health (FLDOH), Hillsborough County for Comprehensive Services Provided by Registered Nurses (RNs) (Climate and Culture)
This agreement provides Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) with 13 RNs to work in our schools to provide basic school health services. The Supervisor of School Health Services will be responsible for the supervision and evaluation of nurses hired in this program. FLDOH, Hillsborough County covers the salaries and other costs associated with the RNs who are paid directly by the FLDOH, Hillsborough County. This agreement has been in effect for over 20 years.
It is required by the FLDOH, Hillsborough County for the Hillsborough County School Board, Florida to sign any negotiated contract first.
There is a 30 percent vacancy rate among School Nurse/RNs. Currently, there are 34 School Nurse/RNs vacancies. There are 84,800 students with acute and chronic medical conditions, which make up 40 percent of the HCPS student population.
The National Association of School Nurses recommend the minimum ratios of nurses to students depending on the needs of the student population is as follows: 1:750 for students in the general population, 1:225 for the student population requiring daily professional school nursing services or need interventions and 1:125 for students with complex health needs.
According to the Center for Disease Control, students with acute and chronic medical conditions have poor health when not properly managed by a school nurse. In turn, they will have an increase in absenteeism and drop out rates, which negatively impact school grades.
The state is funding 13 School Nurses/RNs to work in our district. The School Nurses/RNs will manage students with medically complex health problems and with acute and chronic diseases while in school, which in turn, allows for optimal student learning and improve school attendance.
* Improve the high school graduation rate
* Improve Student Achievement
* Establish a strong foundation of financial stewardship
* Demonstrate "best practices" in all aspects of safety: student, employee, visitor, facility, transportation, and health
Approve the Memorandum of Agreement with the FLDOH, Hillsborough County for Comprehensive Funding.
Dr. Maria Russ, Supervisor, School Health Services, maria.russ@sdhc.k12.fl.us, (813) 273-7020
Holly Saia, Ed.S., General Director, Student Services, holly.saia@sdhc.k12.fl.us, (813) 273-7136
Tracye H. Brown, Chief of Climate and Culture, tracye.brown@sdhc.k12.fl.us (813) 272-4879
There is no financial impact to HCPS as the RNs are paid directly by the FLDOH, Hillsborough County.
The School Health Services annual report and plan are submitted to the FLDOH, Hillsborough County each August. Data is collected from monthly reports submitted by the school nurses.