The Public Schools of Robeson County's Finance Committee recently addressed the future of Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) during a meeting on May 8, 2025. The committee discussed the impact of COVID-19 on staffing needs and the funding sources for these positions, which were initially created to assist with contact tracing and data collection during the pandemic.

Currently, 34 CNAs remain employed, down from an original 52 positions established in the 2021-2022 school year. These roles were funded through a grant from the Department of Health and Human Services and later supported by ESSER 3 funding, which is set to expire on September 30, 2024. The total cost for the remaining CNAs is approximately $1.48 million, with funding coming from state low wealth and federal Title IV sources.

As the funding for these positions diminishes, the committee confirmed that the CNAs would not be considered part of a reduction in force (RIF) due to the specific funding tied to their roles. Their employment is expected to conclude at the end of the current school year on June 13, 2025, and all affected employees have been informed of this timeline.

The discussion also highlighted the ongoing need for school nurses, who will continue to be retained despite the reduction in CNA positions. The committee emphasized that school nurses are essential for managing student health needs, particularly in schools with higher populations of students requiring long-term care.

As the district prepares for the transition away from CNAs, the focus will shift to ensuring that school nurses are adequately scheduled to meet the health needs of students across various schools. The committee's decisions reflect a strategic response to changing health requirements in the wake of the pandemic, aiming to maintain essential health services for students while navigating budget constraints.