Union files complaint over Philly school-nurse cuts

When nurses are not in the building, noontime aides dispense students' medication at some Philadelphia schools. At others, it's principals, secretaries, gym teachers, or counselors.

That violates state rules, the Philadelphia School District's largest union said in a formal complaint announced Wednesday in an effort to halt the practice.

The district is "endangering the lives of the school children it is required to protect," the complaint contends.

Separately, the union has grieved the layoff of 47 nurses and will go to arbitration Friday, Philadelphia Federation of Teachers president Jerry Jordan said. A decision could take months.

Faced with a budget shortfall of more than $700 million, the district laid off the nurses effective Dec. 31. Most schools are now without full-time nursing care, though the district says it has stitched together a system where all "medically fragile" students have nursing services.

Jordan called that "a terrible accident waiting to happen."

Spokesman Fernando Gallard said the district was reviewing the complaint and would be prepared to answer questions from the state.

"The district is confident that its long-standing practice and its protocols for administration of medication fall within the requirements of law and fully address the medical needs and well-being of children in our schools," Gallard said in a statement.

In the complaint, the union cites "wholesale violations" of provisions of the Department of Health's Guidelines for Pennsylvania Schools for Administration of Medications and Emergency Care.

Specifically, the district has violated the state's rules by directing nonmedical professionals to administer medications and by requiring school nurses to train other staffers in how to give medications, the union said.

When certified school nurses aren't available, medication is handed out by principals, gym teachers, counselors, community liaisons, secretaries, and even aides who normally monitor the playground, the PFT found.

One veteran school nurse now works at three schools, including one busy elementary school with more than 1,000 pupils. The school used to have two nurses.

"When I'm there by myself, I see over 30 kids for illnesses and injuries, and 20 more for their meds," said the nurse, who asked that her name be withheld. "I have diabetics - some who are noncompliant - a tube feed, many special-ed students."