ROCKFORD (WREX) -
A state-wide school nurses organization backs Harlem school district nurses who may lose their jobs.
Illinois Association of School Nurses President Susan Voss says having RN's in schools is necessary but they don't have the training certified nurses have to help special needs students.
Harlem schools Superintendent Dr. Julie Morris says these cuts are part of a comprehensive plan to help the district save money.
The board plans to learn more about the proposals at its meeting Monday night. Part of it gets rid of the certified nurses.
Voss works as one in the DeKalb school district and told me this afternoon keeping CN's in school's is critical to the success of special needs students.
"For those students who are in the special education system or who may be moving into the special education system - certified school nurses have the training to help them with the modifications and accommodations for their academic life in the school," said Voss.
According to Voss the idea of the cuts stems from a decision the Illinois board of education made in 2010 which made it OK for schools to use other staff members for special needs students and not require them to keep certified nurses.
