Concerns raised as Cloverdale eliminates school nurse positions
NOTE: The initial version of this story stated that the two eliminated positions would be replaced by one health professional. Rather, the Cloverdale School Board approved for these to be replaced by two health aides.
CLOVERDALE -- With standing room only during its May regular meeting Monday, the Cloverdale School Board faced criticism regarding the approval of two staff cuts deemed necessary by school officials.
One teacher and two parents came before the board to express their concerns about the elimination of two full-time nurse positions within the school corporation. The move also entails that two health aides with replace them.
The first to speak was fifth-grade teacher Susan Brooks, who read from a letter she wrote which spoke to consistent socio-economic and health themes. She stated that she was present on behalf of students and the community, and not a teacher’s union or any special interest. Brooks specifically claimed that Cloverdale Schools was following a trend of replacing nurses seen at other schools, and that this was detrimental.
“We (Cloverdale) are a unique community, so we can’t be like them,” Brooks said. “Cloverdale is on a low socio-economic standing, and these nurses might be the one who they look to for help. Having one also means that they may not be able to serve all students.”
Brooks also stated that all three buildings in the school corporation have a “myriad” of students with different health issues who require the attention of nurses. She singled out Superintendent Greg Linton for proposing the move, though she acknowledged that fiscal responsibility plays a factor in such decisions.
Brooks ran out of her alloted time of three minutes to speak, so Cloverdale parent Lisa Harris finished reading the letter by recapping Brooks’ previous points. Harris also provided a brief comment, saying that, ”It scares me to think about if a nurse is needed and they can’t get to them (students).”
Greencastle parent Joshua Mason also provided a comment on the issue, expressing that nurses do much more than what might be automatically expected of them. He also touched on the idea that individual nurses are needed to provide support those who require it the most.
“I instill my trust in the school nurses, because they work the front-lines in keeping our kids safe,” Mason said. “The position is much more complicated than putting on a band-aid, because they tackle different complications and issues.”
Mason pointed out that 52 percent of Cloverdale students are on free or reduced lunches, implying that the nurse is the most reliable source of healthcare they might have. Like Brooks, he asked the board to not consider the move without more discussion, and expressed concern at a perceived lack of transparency on the cuts. He also proposed that the board could tap into its rainy day fund to cover one more year for the nurses.
After the meeting moved into new business, Linton expressed that he was appreciative of the input from the three speakers, but iterated that the decision was deemed to be a necessary one.
“I do appreciate those who came to the meeting to express their feelings on this, and I and the board have the best for our students in mind,” Linton said. “However, we have goals and parameters that we need to meet, and this is a decision that’s in the best interest for Cloverdale.”
Breaking with protocol for board comments being provided before the meeting is adjourned, Board President Vivian Whitaker addressed specific points which seemed to have drawn the most scrutiny. These included a vote to approve the eliminations supposedly taking place behind closed doors.
Whitaker cast this and other issues up to rumors, and was adamant that the decision was necessary to keep Cloverdale Schools fiscally and legally responsible. The decision was further made in conjunction with the nurses being notified, so as for them not to find out then at the meeting.
“There has never been a vote in executive session on this, and we knew we’d have to give them (the nurses) one month to transition out,” Whitaker said. “We didn’t have to have a vote prior to notification, and we knew this was made in the long-term interest of the schools, as well as for them.”
“I have said before that when you lose your school, you lose your community,” Whitaker added. “I don’t want to close our doors, and we know that we are just keeping even. We are doing our level best with what we have to keep them open, and to keep our kids safe.”
Whitaker also addressed Mason’s point on using the rainy day fund, providing that it was limited to one-time uses and not for a long-term expense. She also cited a statute that requires at least one health professional to cover a school corporation, and that the term “school” did not necessarily mean a single building.
Ultimately, Whitaker aligned with Linton that the move was necessary to promote financial stability at Cloverdale, despite her own reservations at cutting the positions. She further urged positive outlooks on other elements such as high test scores, and to see the “big picture” of student success.
“I don’t like to do this, and I don’t want to, but I see no other option to do what’s best for Cloverdale in the long run.”
The board then voted to eliminate the two positions and replace them with two health aides, though board members Donna Fidler and Katrina Lewis cast opposing votes. Conversely, the board unanimously approved the elimination of two custodial positions.
The board also approved a one-year extension for administrators at Cloverdale, including Linton and Assistant Principal Brent Sailor. Board member JaceAnn Troutt moved to strike Sailor from the extension, though she did not provide a reason why. Her proposition was not seconded, and the board approved the extension while Troutt dissented.
In other business, Cloverdale High School’s agriculture program also presented a mock question-and-answer session that tackled the issue of whether brown or white eggs were healthier, more humane and more cost-effective. The team will present at the state FFA convention in Indianapolis next month.
The board also recognized Cloverdale’s Students of the Month for May. Kindergartener Brailynn Flory came from Cloverdale Elementary School, eighth-grader Izabella Oberkrom represented Cloverdale Middle School and sophomore William “Billy” Wetter was honored by Cloverdale High School.
Additionally, Principal Mary Jane Elkins honored fourth-graders Colby Sinclair and Keenan Mowery-Shields with Cloverdale Elementary School’s Outstanding Citizenship Award. Both were recognized for their diligence raising and lowering the American flag at the middle school during the school year.
The board also approved the following personnel report:
• Employment: Holly Ford, Debbie Atwood, Jamie Porter and Wes Porter, part-time summer bus cleaning; and Linda Collins, part-time summer painting.
• Resignations: Tyler Kaeff, high school volunteer assistant hurdles coach; Robert Vickers, high school volunteer assistant boys’ basketball coach; Alyssa Rissler and Kinzi Pierce, elementary school special education teachers.
The board also approved a 10-cent increase for school lunches for the 2019-20 school year. The fee for students will increase to $3, while adult lunches will increase to $3.75.
The next meeting of the Cloverdale School Board is scheduled for Monday, June 10 at 7 p.m. in the Arthur L. Johnson Administration Center near Cloverdale High School.