Byron Schools Respond to Concerns Over Losing Nurse

It had several parents upset. Last month, a Byron Public School District "Operation Committee" floated the idea of replacing a licensed school nurse (LSN) with two health aides. The move would save the district $5,000 a year.

Many parents wrote the School Board. One woman sent a letter about her son’s severe allergies, saying "Savings of that level do not justify the performance, safety and liability costs losing a school nurse would entail".

Another parent, Becky Siewart, says she moved to Byron because of its schools. Her 5-year-old daughter is a Type 1 Diabetic. Ali Siewart is on an insulin pump and a continuous glucose monitor.

“When Ali gets to school, Ali has to take her diabetes kit to the nurse and report to her. It’s really a daily battle and Jen [Byron Primary School Nurse] is probably with Ali four or five times a day at least,” said Becky.

“She takes care of everybody, the whole entire school,” said Ali.

Monday night, the school board continued discussions about ways to meet budgeting goals. However, it looks like the board will not go down this road.

Late Tuesday evening, Superintendent, Dr. Joey Page, released a statement to ABC 6 News.

He says "A school district with 1,000 or more pupils must employ at least one full-time Licensed School Nurse."

Due to feedback from parents, Dr. Page says his recommendation to the board on April 16th will not include reducing a licensed school nurse.

It’s good news for worried parents.

“We have had scary incidents and Ali gets really nervous too and we want to make sure she feels safe because she knows there are very bad consequences with it [Type 1 Diabetes],” said Becky. “I know she feels safe with nurse Jen.”

http://www.kaaltv.com/news/byron-public-schools-budget-nurse/4851811/