CHARLOTTE, NC – Cold and flu season is here, but some local parents say the Charlotte Mecklenburg School system is not ready.
The group worries local schools aren’t equipped to handle health emergencies, so they’re fighting to get more, full-time school nurses.
Laura Sharpe’s 12-year-old son had his first seizure in school. With his ongoing conditions and two other sons, she and husband want full-time nurses in schools.
“I came to know through our journey with epilepsy how important it is to have a set of eyes on him at school. Someone who is medically trained and able to respond in the case of an emergency,” said Sharpe.
Sharpe is joining with N.C. Parents Advocating for School Health.
“You have secretaries and staff giving insulin and treating kids who’ve fallen off the playground. It really is an accident waiting to happen without a nurse,” said Teri Saurer.
Saurer’s youngest daughter Hannah has prior history of epilepsy and life-threatening food allergies. Saurer says it’s scary to send her daughter to school knowing the nurse is only there two to three days of the week.
“We shouldn’t have to have a fatality occur before we realize that we need to have full time nurses in our schools,” said Saurer.
The group is also fighting for lower nurse to student ratios. The CDC recommends one nurse for every 750 students. North Carolina has a ratio of 1 to 1,200.
“It’s a bigger issue than just the kids with medical issues. It’s an issue for all the kids in our schools to be taken care of. Safety should be an everyday thing,” said Sharpe.
N.C. Parents Advocating for School Health is holding a meeting Tuesday night at Bailey Middle School in Cornelius. The meeting starts at 6:3p.m.
