During the Mercer Island School District Board Regular Meeting on April 24, 2025, community members voiced strong support for maintaining school nursing staff, emphasizing their critical role in student health and safety.

A long-time nurse and Mercer Island resident highlighted the importance of school nurses, sharing her experiences and the challenges faced in providing care to medically fragile students. She urged the board to prioritize hiring and retaining qualified nursing professionals, stating, “Please help us keep these nurses here so that we can just fade into the background and keep everything working smoothly.” Her testimony underscored the vital, often unseen work that nurses do to ensure students are healthy and ready to learn.

A senior from North Carolina High School echoed these sentiments, reflecting on her newfound understanding of the responsibilities of school nurses. She emphasized the community's desire for a safe environment for children, stating, “It’s so important that we keep nurses... people bring their families here because they want their kids to be safe.”

The discussions highlighted a shared concern among parents and students regarding the potential impact of budget constraints on nursing staff. The community's commitment to ensuring the well-being of students was clear, with speakers advocating for continued investment in school health services.

As the meeting progressed, the board acknowledged the importance of these discussions and proposed a brief recess to regroup before continuing with the agenda. The emphasis on student health and safety remains a priority for the Mercer Island School District, reflecting the community's dedication to fostering a supportive educational environment.