John Paul II parents call for full-time school nurse

Catholic school stresses importance of having a nurse throughout the day

By Kyle CarrozzaStaff Writer, The TImes

StethoheartCALN – Parents from Pope John Paul II called for the Coatesville Area School District to place a full-time nurse in the Catholic K-8 school at Tuesday night’s school board meeting.

Located in West Brandywine, Pope John Paul II lies within CASD’s borders. The district is therefore responsible for providing bus and nursing services in the school equivalent to what students would receive in their public school counterparts. Last year, the school went August to December without a full-time nurse, and this year, the school has not had a full-time nurse since August. Instead, a part-time nurse works 10 am to 2 pm.

“Every student in Pennsylvania regardless of public or Catholic school deserves a school nurse,” said parent Sean McGowan.

Multiple parents said that they have particular concerns over students with allergies and chronic illnesses who could need a nurse at any time. Stephanie Stephens said that JP II has over 100 students with nut allergies.

Leah Fox said that there is an inequitable distribution of tax dollars has occurred and pointed out that JP II has 600 students, more than any of CASD’s elementary or middle schools.

Administrative assistant Helen Last said that she has had to administer medications to students though she is not licensed to do so.

Principal Sister Anne McGuire called the school’s parents “a financial asset” to CASD and also voiced her concern about medications being administered by unlicensed individuals.

“Why does it always seem like a tragedy must occur first?” she said of the magnitude of the situation.

One parent called the $20,000 necessary to hire a full-time nurse “a small drop in the hat.” Another asked the board to consider the cost of a nurse’s salary to the potential cost of a medical episode.

School Board Vice President Stu Deets said that not all of CASD’s schools have nurses either. Superintendent Dr. Cathy Taschner said that the district does have the job opening posted.

In other district news, the Chester County Intermediate Unit recommended changes to the district’s uninterruptable power supplies, firewalls, wireless system, and active directory. The recommendations came at the request of Taschner after a CCIU technology audit found various parts of the district’s system lacking.

The cost to implement all these changes would total $368,486, but the district qualifies for an 80% discount, leaving a cost of $73,698.

The CCIU said that some of the district’s technology is outdated, and some is incompatible, which takes interrupts productivity for staff and students. Taschner confirmed. Despite being told last summer that the wireless system would be ready entering this school year, it is still not usable. She said that some students have iPads that they have not been able to use for three years.

“We have serious, immediate problems,” she said.

Taschner hopes that this work will be the first step in increasing technology access in the classroom.

During the superintendent’s report, Taschner made way for freshman student Gabriella Vetter who delivered her speech from the district’s Martin Luther King Day festivities.

“Ask yourself—are we really living his dream?” Vetter inquired of the audience

Vetter said that unjust self-entitlement leads some people to believe that they are better than others. She said that society needs to realize that people are not all the same, “but that does not mean we are better.”

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One Comment

  1. Brigitte Bortz, RN, BSN, CSN says:

    $20, 000.00 ???. I understand that private schools do not pay as much as public schools but please note that most certified school nurses earn $45,000.00 and that is the low end in our area. CSN with several years of experience may earn $60,000.00+.

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