[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6077103,"mediaKeyId","2965765-0c558265de19fb404ee71eae50fb80cc","parentId",2965765,"title","Board debate erupts after administration proposes reducing PRN nurse spending to save about $412,000","audioSeconds",518,"startMs",4876000,"endMs",5394000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2965765-0c558265de19fb404ee71eae50fb80cc&start=4876&end=5394","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2965765-0c558265de19fb404ee71eae50fb80cc/thumbnail_4876000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6077103/Tennessee/Board-debate-erupts-after-administration-proposes-reducing-PRN-nurse-spending-to-save-about-412000","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077103-8e5e2850fb4b3cb6a272f7ffabe54a55/orig.mp4?Expires=1770580825&Signature=iRPWQsRdWd1HGJGD8pv8vt75TZWSY1VUQt5X85PxIb~UTZXc06OWzpY2o3Si3i~sq9Cuo1ZtLb8PY34iDQnq6jrdJw2umCwyyWtvwl1gqlUqZlDk7g~W6GtoPlZzERLPkdi4ZmLKakYxW9B0AJ2RYhDOKpbJ7HxYqpjtF2pRrCrAkloVfB4zVLJPSBLruemIBARCFMPrUsfSaeCE0YZ3FFExETocFr3DCoOzz8ap~sfUUfrckCC35VyAwj1l3qfTU9lhrGFp0rpMDR4tSNY0ed0IAIIg~XKS95GMzc4c6sU9NRbmR9qVnRYEuIYLJJsrVYHSA~c0PE7oJwfWYSHxjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hamilton County School","date","2025-04-12T00:59:14.897Z","article","Hamilton County Schools' proposed budget options include eliminating or reducing PRN (per-diem/substitute) nursing pay—an item the administration estimates would save roughly $412,000, equivalent in the draft to about six full-time nurse FTEs.

Marissa Borgers, manager of school health programs, told the finance committee that PRN nurses are used to cover short-term absences and to support schools with very high medical needs. \"If our kids are not healthy, they can't learn. They can't thrive,\" Borgers said, citing daily clinical work school nurses perform and specific incidents the district has managed this year: dozens of tube-feedings at some schools, emergency epinephrine administrations, hundreds of albuterol treatments and dozens of emergency seizure medications.

Borgers said the district has roughly 16 PRN nurses budgeted (each at part-time effort) and that the PRN pool covered more than 840 days of nurse absences this year, with the district able to cover about 90% of those days using current staffing and PRNs. The administration told the board that removing PRNs in the draft is one of many options to reach the multi-million-dollar gap; the PRN cut alone was shown as approximately $412,000 in reduced substitute/nurse pay, and the budget presentation noted those PRNs equate to about six full-time equivalents when aggregated.

Board members pressed staff on the safety and liability consequences of reducing PRN coverage. Board member Connor and others asked whether staff or volunteers could be assigned to administer medications when a nurse is not available; a participant in the discussion noted Tennessee law allows properly trained volunteers or staff to administer certain medications under a school's plan, but board members repeatedly said they are concerned about placing additional clinical duties on already overburdened office staff.

Administrators responded that the draft assumes there will be a licensed nurse assigned to every school on a regular basis, and that PRN nursing pools fill temporary gaps and provide additional coverage where a school has high-acuity medical needs. Borgers and nurse leadership emphasized they were not included in early-stage decisions about making PRNs a candidate for savings and urged the board to consider the clinical risks.

The committee heard several hard examples Borgers used to illustrate daily nurse responsibilities: tube feedings (\"1 school does 10 tube feedings a day\"), emergency bronchodilator treatments (she said the district had given 777 emergency albuterol treatments this year) and multiple emergency seizure medications. Borgers said she \"does not feel good at all when I do not have enough to cover\" and described instances where she personally filled in to cover nurse absences.

The administration characterized the PRN proposal as a conservative savings card and said it would put in place stricter processes for coverage and pairing schools to ensure students with ongoing medical needs are staffed with a nurse; staff also said they would return with more detailed coverage plans. No formal action or vote was taken on the PRN item during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","HCS Finance Committee Meeting 4/10/25","oneSentenceSummary","The district proposed reducing PRN nurse pay to save roughly $412,000, prompting testimony from the district's school-health manager that PRNs cover hundreds of absence days and critical daily medical needs.","taxTitle","Hamilton County, School Districts, Tennessee","taxId",12943,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6077112,"Hamilton County Schools presents preliminary FY26 budget showing $16–18 million shortfall",516,1402000,1918000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2965765-0c558265de19fb404ee71eae50fb80cc&start=1402&end=1918","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2965765-0c558265de19fb404ee71eae50fb80cc/thumbnail_1402000.jpg","/articles/6077112/Tennessee/Hamilton-County-Schools-presents-preliminary-FY26-budget-showing-1618-million-shortfall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077112-663a05152a3df7acc422690cfd163821/orig.mp4?Expires=1770580825&Signature=GjZl8EoxlP6MI3Bb9~UvpyY9LLpwPrydL6mHoJXZ8g4XL2rKklc0hXWxw2YaEBrBo8AICdLBW5LAT0KK4hnv8250OwVy7acK2B64JGYsSoNb-iLfsH8F0fbikg0K1kvh6dqvNrltEGVkOggJq4Kccut6jERW2pY5lVUwTt0KAZ7p4AywsgsFDGFnpjLgzw9iT70CS~HBVA7-mDa9~yBov0ANc0-89pd6GE6lvfdQ9LMyzH4-S60Ow6lrK8cUNhuZLRGxeWfl03~QYW0pr2LkoffIUeDMTWKQwMrVjap4g7~~Y6-DqN3438jzAkiIoLormvF7ERp-Itzs-FTNtt6q-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Ed Robertson and district finance staff on Tuesday presented a preliminary FY26 budget that administrators say begins with an estimated $16 million to $18.5 million shortfall driven mainly by revenues that did not materialize in FY25 and a sharp rise in health-care costs.

\"Just to be 100% clear, this is not the final version,\" Superintendent Ed Robertson said as he opened the finance committee briefing. He told board members the administration is preparing multiple versions and seeking direction from the board on which expense and revenue options to pursue.

The nut graf: The shortfall forces the district to weigh central-office reductions, program and operational savings and requests to Hamilton County government while protecting school staffing, student-facing resources and employee compensation as priorities.

Administrators said total projected operating revenues across funds are \"just over $576,000,000.\" Robertson said two trends created the deficit: FY25 revenue growth budgeted but not realized—about $4.5 million to $6.5 million—and a recommended FY26 increase of about $12.5 million to cover rising employee health-care costs. Those two drivers combine for the roughly $16 million–$18.5 million starting deficit the district outlined.

To close the gap in the draft, the administration recommended a set of options that include: modest reductions in school-based staff (a roughly 2% reduction in school-based staffing across the system), a proposal to remove just over 30 central-office positions (the administration described this as representing about $3.1 million in savings), tighter controls on copier and paper usage (estimated $330,000 savings), and examining contracted services and transportation routes for additional savings.

Board members repeatedly pressed the administration about whether the district would approach Hamilton County government or municipal partners for more funding. Board member Connor reminded members of the county's maintenance-of-effort obligation as it applies to school funding and urged a deliberate strategy for county engagement. Multiple board members asked administration to prepare a version of the budget that represents the district's full need for education operations before approaching the county commission.

Administrators also flagged several federal and state revenue items that could change the budget picture. The presentation included a conservative estimate that the district could receive up to $2 million in reimbursements tied to school security officers (SSOs) under items in the governor's budget; Robertson cautioned the number could be higher or lower.

The draft shows the total workforce at about 5,038 full-time-equivalent positions across operating budgets. Robertson said the district's central-office workforce represents about 8% of the staff total; national guidance for similar-size systems typically ranges 9%–12%, he added. The administration said about 30 central-office positions are included in proposed reductions for savings.

Several board members urged that the district's advocacy to the county commission be vigorous and explicit. Board member Jones told the committee he has received hundreds of constituent emails and urged the board to consider a referendum or local-option funding if county support is insufficient. Board members also urged the administration to return with more granular options (for example, partial magnet-route changes rather than an all-or-nothing cut) so the board can choose among trade-offs.

Background and context: Robertson and staff emphasized that the draft is a version 1 and that the budget will change as revenues, grants and board direction are incorporated. The administration asked for direction from the board on which cards to pursue in subsequent versions and said it will return with more detailed breakdowns of contracted services, magnet transportation routes and other options.

What the committee did not do: The meeting recorded no formal motions or votes on the FY26 budget. The presentation was for discussion and direction.

What's next: Administration said it will prepare one or more revised budgets based on board feedback and will provide more detailed contract and department breakdowns in later versions. The board will consider those drafts in future finance committee and full-board meetings.","Superintendent Ed Robertson and finance staff presented a preliminary FY26 operating budget that administrators say opens with an estimated $16 million\t618.5 million shortfall driven by unrealized FY25 revenues and rising health-care costs.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6077108,"Hamilton County Schools outlines exceptional-education funding, proposes service-hour/acuity staffing model",327,3473000,3800000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2965765-0c558265de19fb404ee71eae50fb80cc&start=3473&end=3800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2965765-0c558265de19fb404ee71eae50fb80cc/thumbnail_3473000.jpg","/articles/6077108/Tennessee/Hamilton-County-Schools-outlines-exceptional-education-funding-proposes-service-houracuity-staffing-model","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077108-f2d0b1762d22aaa917cfbcb39ec79f5a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770580825&Signature=KaOHSPdlOM2fu8QnkbSGS7ZuG6DLlGFNuhOfXKMBjnREGmfQgI-HcgIY7UjN1FYlgFtKRCcU-7a-s7IBW0OJ2EfnbtEqPknN2nLAp~rX9ZEOM0kGnqKi7aQR~Rf8rSJf-5gmdybd2bEiau-u2Z8VEFM1YxBOPpUOoe-4ZnONRImeS01Jlp12BH90mCE5bKyJFAvldIeXs8FVIEf7paH8jS1JDN68Ws~MQ2VkX6ItGZCatzjXvwOnOUQ1du-SaZFtqoH8q~Sp1Swlg7wgOEtaRqVYzh25b7vP6FKWznbC8fw~1vync38duYSpIJAA4WH~dFO7cD4PPIyPsj4PgcGrAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hamilton County Schools administrators told the finance committee they plan to hold general-purpose funding for exceptional education near FY25 levels while changing how in-school staffing is allocated to match student needs.

Superintendent Ed Robertson said the draft continues a roughly $54 million general-purpose allocation that the administration identifies as the district's exceptional-education support baseline and noted the district also expects IDEA-related funding of about $11.6 million. \"That 54 includes that 54. But since there's been a lot of conversation about it, we wanted to make sure that we represented what that total amount was going towards x ed,\" Robertson said.

Why it matters: Maintaining the overall dollar investment while moving to a service-hour or \"acuity\" model changes where individual positions are assigned. Administration said the objective is to ensure maintenance-of-effort requirements for special education are met while aligning staff to students' demonstrated needs rather than a straight head-count formula.

Administration described a $1.6 million item the board previously discussed: funding that in earlier versions was a set of direct positions but in the draft is proposed to be reinvested into additional Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), registered behavior technicians (RBTs) and roving assistants. Robertson said those choices are intended to keep support in buildings while providing more flexible, needs-based responses.

Mary Ellen, a finance staff member, explained that exceptional-education budgets draw from multiple revenue lines: the operating fund (general purpose), federal IDEA allocations and state grants. The administration said it will return with a line-item summary showing \"exceptional education instruction\" and \"exceptional education support\" totals so the board can see the combined investment across funding sources.

Board members raised practical questions about vacancies and reassignment. Robertson said that at the start of the school year the district had open positions in special education (day-one figures cited: roughly 19 exceptional-education teachers and 19 assistants), and that some of the positions proposed for reduction could be filled by staff reassignment if needs move between schools. \"There are positions, and we will make sure that everyone has a position,\" Robertson said, while acknowledging that some staff might have to move from one school to another.

Board members pressed for assurance that maintenance-of-effort rules would be preserved. Robertson said the district expects to meet maintenance-of-effort by reinvesting savings into exceptional-education programs and related services rather than reducing total special-education spending. Mary Ellen added that IDEA (federal) funding has not kept pace with rising costs and that the district has had to use general-purpose dollars to fill gaps in recent years.

The administration plans to bring detailed spreadsheets and the appendix materials on staffing to future meetings; the finance book includes position-level appendices and a one-page list showing which central positions are vacant versus filled. No board action or votes were taken at the meeting; the discussion was advisory.","The district plans to keep overall exceptional-education spending near FY25 levels while changing staffing to a service-hour (acuity) model and reinvesting savings into additional BCBAs, RBTs and roving assistance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board debate erupts after administration proposes reducing PRN nurse spending to save about $412,000

Hamilton County Schools presents preliminary FY26 budget showing $16–18 million shortfall

Hamilton County Schools outlines exceptional-education funding, proposes service-hour/acuity staffing model