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The district employs a total of seven nurses, but not all of the schools have a full-time nurse on duty.
Clearview and Campbellton Elementary share a nurse; and another nurse is responsible for Augusta, Fifth Street and Marthasville Elementary. A nurse/secretary serves Labadie Elementary.
Due to their larger student populations, a full-time nurse is onsite at Washington West Elementary, South Point Elementary, Washington Middle School and Washington High School.
However, a health clerk is actually employed at the high school this year because the district was unable to find a qualified nurse for the salary offered.
The report, prepared by Georgana Hagan, nursing supervisor, said the quality of staff is above average and the nurses are very knowledgeable and have good communication with students, parents and staff.
The nurses also have trained all school secretaries, cooks and custodial staff in CPR and the secretaries in first aid. They also are willing to train any employee, if asked, the report notes.
Despite the department's many strengths, the report urges officials to consider employing full-time nurses at all buildings for the health and safety of students.
The most urgent need, according to the report, is for an additional nurse at the elementary level due to health issues and the large geographical area being served.
There has been an increase in students with Type 1 diabetes, the report states, which requires a nurse to give insulin injections every time the student eats at school.
Currently, South Point has four students with Type 1 diabetes; Labadie has one; the high school has five; and Washington West has a homeschooled challenge student who comes one day a week.
In the past, students attending one of the outlying elementary schools with this condition were brought into Washington where there was a full-time nurse. Next year, there will be two students with Type 1 Diabetes at Marthasville and Clearview.
Injections must be given by a school nurse, so a full-time nurse will be needed at these sites or the students will have to be bused to a school that has one.
The report also notes the increasing number of students with severe peanut allergies which requires their doctor to write an order for an epi-pen.
Presently, there are five students at the middle school, three at the high school, three at Washington West and one at South Point with peanut allergies.
The epi-pen did have to be used to save the life of a student at South Point this year, the report notes.
Superintendent Dr. Scott Huddleston told the board that increasing the nursing staff should be considered for next year.
