Editorial: Nothing seamless here

Monday, Feb. 28, 2005 | 9 a.m.

Three campus health centers are scheduled to temporarily shut their doors Tuesday because of unwarranted anxiety by the Clark County School Board. The centers date back to 2001, when money from the state's tobacco settlement provided their funding. Many students from low- income families have been helped, and absenteeism because of illness has decreased since the centers opened.

In December the Clark County Health District, which has been operating the centers at an elementary school, a middle school and a high school, gave notice that the settlement money was running out. It recommended that Nevada Health Centers take over. This is a nonprofit organization that uses federal grants to operate several clinics for homeless and low-income people. Contract talks began and National Health Centers secured a federal grant to operate the campus health facilities. The earliest this proposed transfer of management could be placed onto a School Board agenda for approval was this past Thursday.

Instead of appreciating the opportunity for a seamless transfer, however, School Board members frowned and fretted and postponed a decision until March 10, even though without a new contract the centers will close on Tuesday. Member Susan Brager-Wellman whined about not having more notice. Members Sheila Moulton and Denise Brodsky fretted about losing control, with Moulton expressing concern that Nevada Health Centers would violate school policies regarding sex education.

All of this criticism was foolish. Nevada Health Centers has been around for years and its reputation for community service is rock solid. Dr. Carl Heard, the organization's chief medical officer, attended the meeting and assured the members that reproductive health services is not something offered at the centers. He also said that National Health Centers would welcome the opportunity to fully cooperate with the board.

He failed to sway the members and now there will be at least seven school days when the centers are closed. On this issue, the School Board acted against the best interests of the district and its students.

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