As advocates for 142 approved private special education programs in New Jersey, we have been keeping a close eye on the Student Development Code, which was slated for a vote by the N.J. State Board of Education Aug. 2. We support the code in its current form which would allow public and private schools the flexibility to use part-time certified school nurses.

The school nurse association is pushing hard to reinstate the full-time nursing requirement. We strongly oppose this because many of the students we serve have serious medical conditions that require nurses with acute care experience. Because certified school nurses are not always available or may not have acute care experience, private schools need the flexibility to use certified school nurses or registered nurses depending on the medical needs of their students.

Forcing private schools - with an average enrollment of 75 students - to hire full-time certified school nurses is unnecessary. Some charter schools and public districts also have low enrollments. In difficult fiscal times, it is not good use of taxpayer money. It also is very difficult to find certified nurses who are willing to work with special education students that have acute medical needs.

Gerard Thiers

executive director

Association of Schools and Agencies for the Handicapped

Hamilton Square