District residents voice concerns over possible cut of nurses at private schools
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Several Amherst School District residents voiced their concerns over a possible cut in full-time nursing staff at the five private schools in the district during the Feb. 5 School Board meeting.

Approximately 200 angry residents attended the meeting, which was moved from the back wing of the middle school to the building's auditorium, to oppose the proposed 2008-09 budget cut that would eliminate the full-time nursing positions at Sacred Heart Academy, Christ The King School, Park School, St. Benedict's School and Kadimah School of Buffalo. Instead, the district is proposing to have nurses available on a part-time rotational basis.

The proposed reductions, which would save the district $70,000, are based on school enrollment.

The district currently employs one full-time nurse at each private school and at each of its public schools. Assistant Superintendent Mark Whyle said at the Jan. 22 board meeting that the ratio of students to nursing hours is greater in private schools in the district than in the public schools.

Many of the 34 district residents who spoke to the board voiced their disapproval and cited many health and safety reasons if nurses were no longer employed on a full-time basis.

Snyder Fire Department First Assistant Chief Paul Griebner said the number of 911 calls would increase.

"That delay of one to two minutes can make all of the difference," he said.

Debbie Sippel, a pediatric nurse practitioner, said it's not safe for teachers to have to administer medication if a full-time nurse is not around.

Other residents said the board could face potential lawsuits if a student dies or becomes sick because he or she did not receive timely and adequate health care.

"We're asking the board members to put the health and safety of children as your top priority," said former Erie County Legislator Elise Cusack, who has three children who attend Christ The King. "In a $40 million-plus budget, we respectfully ask you to find $70,000, a mere .1 percent of the budget."

The Amherst Town Board unanimously passed a resolution at its Feb. 4 meeting for the Amherst School Board to stop discussing the idea of a proposed nursing staff cut.

"I understand what it feels like to make a decision that has effects on the entire community," said town Deputy Supervisor Shelly Schratz, who has children who attend Sacred Heart. "When we were talking about cutting the number of police officers, the Amherst School District regularly said, 'Don't you dare cut our police. We need them at our high school.' ... With this, I think you are making a drastic mistake, and you need to change it. The first child who dies, you won't be able to live with yourself."

The board must approve its budget at the April 22 meeting. The first budget presentation to the board will be held March 11.