ST JOHNS, Fla. — Several parents of St. Johns County Public Schools students voiced concerns about the district's plan to reduce the number of nurses at each school at a board meeting Tuesday night.
Dozens of nurses showed up wearing scrubs in a show of solidarity.
Former SJC school nurse Holly Farmer told board members these healthcare workers already have too much on their plate and that only having one at each school could be putting students at risk.
She resigned from her role at the end of the last school year.
"To ask for more with less is frightening," Farmer said to board members.
She said the ratio of nurses to students within the district is already unacceptable.
"The tasks that are being put upon our school nurses are insurmountable, and it's scary,” Farmer said. “It's putting not only our nursing license at risk, but the health and safety of these kids."
Many parents found out in January about the district's plan to go from having two nurses to only one at each school.
Krista White's son is a kindergartner with Type 1 diabetes.
She said she's in contact with his school nurse several times a day, and she's worried about what could happen if he has an emergency medical episode if there's only one nurse for the entire school.
"He has to be monitored, really, around the clock for his blood sugar,” Farmer said. “He's five years old. He has no independence of his care whatsoever, so he depends on adults - nurses - to monitor and make sure that he's safe and healthy at school."
White is not the only mother who isn't comfortable with the cutbacks.
"To hear of these cuts is highly upsetting," another parent said to the board.
After public comment, Superintendent Tim Forson responded, saying the cuts are necessary because of the loss of additional COVID funding.
"I think it's just an absolute shame that it has to happen,” Forson said, “but I do believe it is where will we go and where I will continue to recommend us to go forward."
Forson said the change will go into effect at the start of the next school year.