District nurses report 75,779 health office visits; 48% of students report a health condition

The Marshalltown Community School District’s health services team presented its annual health report to the board, summarizing student health needs, nursing services and program challenges.

The district reported that 48% of students list a health condition through online registration. Registered nurses noted ADHD remains the largest single diagnosis, with anxiety and asthma also common; the district added autism and developmental-delay tracking this year and reported a small decline in recorded depression diagnoses while cautioning that reporting changes, graduation and privacy considerations may affect year-to-year counts.

Nursing staff reported 75,779 total health office visits across district buildings for the school year and said 97% of students who visited were able to stay at school after receiving care. The most frequent complaints prompting PRN (as-needed) medication dosing were headaches and stomachaches, and daily medication administration commonly supports students with ADHD, seizure disorders, diabetes and asthma. The district also stocks emergency medications including Narcan and EpiPens; staff reported one school-administered EpiPen use this year.

The report highlighted screening and partnership activities: vision screenings are performed through the Kidsight program in partnership with the Lions Club; dental screenings are provided through a My Guy Smile program; and the district works closely with Marshall County Public Health for immunization clinics. The presenter reported a 100% immunization-audit compliance across buildings, noting some students have medical or religious waivers consistent with state rules.

Staffing and operations notes included 10 registered nurses and five health aides, and the district’s new full-time float nurse position that the presenter said has covered building nurses during absences about 55% of the position’s time. Nurses also facilitate Medicaid billing for eligible students; staff reported billing on 107 students last year. The presenter identified challenges including limited family engagement for follow-up care, high demand for mental-health services and gaps in preventive-care access for uninsured families; the presenter said some earlier voucher programs for free eyewear have been paused, increasing reliance on grants and community partnerships.

Board members thanked nursing staff for their work and praised immunization and partnership results.