School Budgets

SusanJean · Jan 14, 2005

At my daughter's school, our nurse got about the same budget. The PTA (within our school) generally raises big bucks annually and supplements by about 2-3 times that. This has just been in the past couple of years, tho, and it had to be brought to their attention that she was buying supplies/food/drink for the kids out-of-pocket.

Out district was looking at cutting school nurses in the last budget cut-backs. She and another nurse invited a board member to spend a day w/ them - one grade school, one high school. He has become a hugh advocate for them since. Their budget was not cut and we did not lose any nurses.

My son is at a private school. On his supply list each fall the students each are responsible for bringing items to stock the nurse's office - tylenol, bandaids, ice packs, etc., etc. Their is virtually no budget. All is donated by student/family...

Good luck.

SJ

Foxfour · Jan 14, 2005

Hi! Can I be nosey and ask how much other school nurses get for their clinic budgets? I have 1200 students and $200 (or was it $250...I spent it so long ago I don't remember!).
If anyone has had a small budget like me to stretch, were you able to convience the BOE to give you more? If so, could you give me some advice on writing my letter?

We have about 840 students and our budget is $2,500/school year for general supplies. Plus we also get $500 for the print shop which I transferring about $325 over to general supplies and another $100 for vouchers (which we use for purchasing students' eyeglasses), and since we have another program that provides all of students with glasses who qualify, I am transferring that as well. Our clinic is well stocked.

GreenWitch · Jan 15, 2005

I've bought about $50 out of pocket and my hubby was not happy it all when he found out since I already took a 50% pay cut to work at the school! He said the students parents are responsible for them, not us. He also took about a 50% pay cut to be a full-time police officer, so with our decreased budget I just can't provide for them. I have sent home several notices to the parents requesting donations through out the year. What I've gotten is about 20 bottles of peroxide...lol, guess it was on sale :chuckle I think that is just ridiculous when I have 1200 students.....

We don't have a PTA at the middle school, they just started a PTO. Maybe I could do something with that...Thanks for your reply!

At my daughter's school, our nurse got about the same budget. The PTA (within our school) generally raises big bucks annually and supplements by about 2-3 times that. This has just been in the past couple of years, tho, and it had to be brought to their attention that she was buying supplies/food/drink for the kids out-of-pocket.
Out district was looking at cutting school nurses in the last budget cut-backs. She and another nurse invited a board member to spend a day w/ them - one grade school, one high school. He has become a hugh advocate for them since. Their budget was not cut and we did not lose any nurses.
My son is at a private school. On his supply list each fall the students each are responsible for bringing items to stock the nurse's office - tylenol, bandaids, ice packs, etc., etc. Their is virtually no budget. All is donated by student/family...
Good luck.
SJ

GreenWitch · Jan 15, 2005

Gosh! Do you work in a rural or urban area?

We have about 840 students and our budget is $2,500/school year for general supplies. Plus we also get $500 for the print shop which I transferring about $325 over to general supplies and another $100 for vouchers (which we use for purchasing students' eyeglasses), and since we have another program that provides all of students with glasses who qualify, I am transferring that as well. Our clinic is well stocked.

SusanJean · Jan 15, 2005

I've bought about $50 out of pocket and my hubby was not happy it all when he found out since I already took a 50% pay cut to work at the school! He said the students parents are responsible for them, not us. He also took about a 50% pay cut to be a full-time police officer, so with our decreased budget I just can't provide for them. I have sent home several notices to the parents requesting donations through out the year. What I've gotten is about 20 bottles of peroxide...lol, guess it was on sale :chuckle I think that is just ridiculous when I have 1200 students.....
We don't have a PTA at the middle school, they just started a PTO. Maybe I could do something with that...Thanks for your reply!

You and your husband are both devoted to your professions:) !!

Approach the PTO (I always thought it was the same as PTA) and see if they can help.

Check w/ school admin and see if they can add some supplies to school supply list along w/ pens/pencils, etc at the beginning of each yr -- that might help stock the office. (one grade brings bandaids, one grade brings alcoh wipes etc. I've learned the more specific you are, the more likely the specific needs being met will be.) This is what the private school does.

Until the public school office started getting additional funding from the PTA, one or two generous parents, along w/ the nurse were responsible for meeting the needs of the school.

What are your school's demographics?

SJ

GreenWitch · Jan 16, 2005

The county is very large and rural. Most people only have a HS education, lots of single parents, mostly white with just a few asains, hispanics and aa's. I think the average family income is about $30K if I remember correctly.

Yes, you are correct! My hubby and I are both very devoted! We both love our jobs! I was shocked when he walked away from his career to go to policing FT (he'd been PT for years). I wanted to be a school nurse when I was in nursing school. I worked for a Drs office when I first graduated, but just 5 months later I was hired by the school! I was so thrilled. I hope they keep me next year!

You and your husband are both devoted to your professions:) !!
Approach the PTO (I always thought it was the same as PTA) and see if they can help.
Check w/ school admin and see if they can add some supplies to school supply list along w/ pens/pencils, etc at the beginning of each yr -- that might help stock the office. (one grade brings bandaids, one grade brings alcoh wipes etc. I've learned the more specific you are, the more likely the specific needs being met will be.) This is what the private school does.
Until the public school office started getting additional funding from the PTA, one or two generous parents, along w/ the nurse were responsible for meeting the needs of the school.
What are your school's demographics?
SJ

SusanJean · Jan 16, 2005

The county is very large and rural. Most people only have a HS education, lots of single parents, mostly white with just a few asains, hispanics and aa's. I think the average family income is about $30K if I remember correctly.
Yes, you are correct! My hubby and I are both very devoted! We both love our jobs! I was shocked when he walked away from his career to go to policing FT (he'd been PT for years). I wanted to be a school nurse when I was in nursing school. I worked for a Drs office when I first graduated, but just 5 months later I was hired by the school! I was so thrilled. I hope they keep me next year!

Demographics support that families should be able to pitch in to help out. If school board won't increase budget and PTO can't help, I'd try an item specific request for the remainder of this year and adding items to supply list for next fall.

Good luck...

GreenWitch · Jan 16, 2005

Thanks so much for your ideas!

Demographics support that families should be able to pitch in to help out. If school board won't increase budget and PTO can't help, I'd try an item specific request for the remainder of this year and adding items to supply list for next fall.
Good luck...

MomNRN, BSN, RN · Jan 16, 2005

One of the nurses in our district got her church (one of the women's groups) to donate $100 which she uses at her discretion.

We also get supplemental funds from local groups - like the Eagles club. They recently purchased a hand-held pulse oximeter for our clinic.

hmcna · Jan 18, 2005

There are often grants available as well, and some generous dr offices will give you samples etc.

GreenWitch · Jan 18, 2005

One of the nurses in our district got her church (one of the women's groups) to donate $100 which she uses at her discretion.
We also get supplemental funds from local groups - like the Eagles club. They recently purchased a hand-held pulse oximeter for our clinic.

Great idea! I will ask some churches for donations! I'm not sure if we really have any "local groups"....I will check into that as well though!