Board approves eNurse, mental health programs
By Suzanne Werre
Editor
After much discussion and a few months to mull over the options, the Underwood School Board on Thursday voted unanimously to continue its eNursing contract with the addition of a mental health module for students for the 2019-20 school year. The mental health program is only for students grades 5 through 12, and those students would have set appointment times to meet with a mental health professional online.
The eNursing program, which the school piloted this past school year, will cost the school about $4000 per year, and the mental health program will cost the school an additional $2950. The mental health program will be limited to six sessions per individual, with a limit of five individuals participating in sessions that are set up with a mental health professional.
While there was concern that having a staff member taken from regular duties to work with the student to get the eNursing session set up, the board members focused on the positives that could come of not only the eNursing but the addition of the mental health help.
“I support it. All the articles say that it’s really trending that way,” said board member Sara Ness. “If we’re only locked in for a year . . . .”
Board member Amanda Haseleu added that the cost is well worth it if some kids are helped.
