Board approves health services contract options and interim nurse arrangements

The Mercer County Board of Education approved adjustments to health services and personnel arrangements at the meeting, including an amendment to the district's agreement with the local health department, updates to job descriptions, and authorization to use contract services or interim nursing support as needed.

Staff presented a proposed amendment to the health department agreement to add pre-employment physicals at $50 per employee, which together with an existing $40-per-employee drug testing cost would total $90 per employee for those pre-employment services. The board approved the amendment by roll-call vote while staff noted they were awaiting the amended document from the health department.

District staff also presented updated job descriptions for the Health Service Coordinator/Registered Nurse role to reflect recent staffing changes and to enable future posting if the position is opened. As an interim option, staff requested authorization to contract for nursing services (minimum payment of $3,200 for the school year) or hire an interim RN for a short-term period; the board approved moving forward with contract-service options to ensure coverage.

When presenting the contract-services option, staff emphasized flexibility: the contract would include a minimum payment and an hourly rate (example cited $40 per hour), but the actual hours required would vary according to needs and might be minimal. The board adopted motions to approve the job description updates and to authorize contracting for district health coordinator services for the remainder of the school year.