Facebook
Fark
Digg
Reddit
Stumble
Neighbors of Elaine Wynn Elementary School attend a community meeting Monday about a planned health care clinic on the school’s campus. School Board Vice President Carolyn Edwards apologized to the group for not being more communicative.
Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009 | 2 a.m.
Reader poll
Map of Elaine Wynn Elementary School
Elaine Wynn Elementary School
5655 Edna Ave., Las Vegas
Sun Archives
- Schools have valued partner in Elaine Wynn’s group (10-22-2009)
- Task at hand: Flu-readiness (9-20-2009)
- Newest health center fills a need (9-12-2009)
- School-based clinics offer care of kids in health system's gaps (7-18-2008)
- Volunteers works to make life better for poor students (1-10-2007)
Sun Coverage
Beyond the Sun
This is a reality that not everyone is comfortable with: The burden of identifying — and treating — students with health issues has increasingly fallen to local public schools, some of which share their campuses with independently operated health clinics.
Over the years the health clinics at six Clark County campuses have done more than just connect needy students with basic care such as eye and dental exams or vaccinations. Clinic staff have spotted potentially life-threatening illnesses and diseases that might otherwise have gone undiagnosed and untreated.
The health clinic locations are chosen not just to serve the students at those campuses, but also for proximity to other schools with high-need populations. Students from 40 Henderson campuses, for instance, have access to health services at the clinic operating at Basic High School.
Some people don’t welcome school-based health clinics. Consider the gathering Monday of about 50 residents of the Spring Valley neighborhood to complain about plans to develop a health clinic at Elaine Wynn Elementary, east of Jones Boulevard.
Some of their opposition apparently stems from misunderstandings about how the clinics are funded, and who has access to the services.
Some people say they are angry that tax dollars would be going to provide health care — a service seen as outside the School District’s primary mission. Others expressed fear that the neighborhood would be flooded with uninsured adults and children using the clinic as a primary health care provider.
Here are the facts: Virtually no public money is spent either to build or to operate the clinics. The School District provides the land and the utility hookups and pays only for a staff coordinator in the School Community Partnership Office to work with the clinics, which serve youths up to age 18.
Others residents worry about the impact of increased traffic in their area. But the principals of several of the existing clinics said there is no discernible increase during the clinic hours.
Adding fuel to the fire for some of the residents living near Wynn Elementary might have been the timing of the Oct. 22 groundbreaking, which struck some observers as premature when final approval from the county is pending. The School Board is expected to discuss the proposed memorandum of understanding between the district and the nonprofit organization that will run the clinic, Communities in Schools, at a work session Wednesday.
School Board Vice President Carolyn Edwards apologized at Monday’s gathering, which the School District held to try to head off protests when the clinic goes to the Clark County Commission for approval. “We want to be good neighbors with you,” Edwards told the group. “We should have communicated with you earlier on.”
The critics included home-owner Colette Welsing, who said that even though the neighborhood includes large custom homes, with the presence of the clinic, “the first impression will be that this is an impoverished area.”
The process of approving the clinic without community input, she said, was “extremely offensive.”
Wynn Principal Ellen Bordinhao said many of the clinic’s patients will be her students, 85 percent of whom qualify for free or reduced-price meals. “Our families need it, plain and simple,” she told the school’s neighbors.
Health clinics at Roy Martin Middle School, Valley High School and C.P. Squires Elementary are operated by the private, nonprofit Nevada Health Centers. The campus health center at Basic High operates through a partnership with Nevada State College, which provides funding and staff.
Communities in Schools, which would operate the clinic at Wynn Elementary, already operates clinics at Cunningham and Martinez elementary schools. The Southern Nevada chapter of NAIOP, the commercial real estate development association, has offered to donate the clinic building at Wynn Elementary, which would be named in memory of Casey Jones, who served as the business group’s president in 2005.
In the 2008-09 academic year the two Communities in Schools campus health centers provided 3,250 pediatric exams, which included immunizations, treatment of illnesses and the physicals required to participate in district athletics.
To state Sen. Joyce Woodhouse, D-Henderson, who served as director of the district’s School Community Partnership Office from 1989 until her retirement in 2006, the campus-based health clinics are an example of successful collaboration. Being able to treat students at a neighborhood school means less instructional time is lost, Woodhouse said.
“Students are not going to be able to learn or achieve if they’re not in school or not getting the basic health care they need,” said Woodhouse, who is chairwoman of the Legislative Committee on Education. “I would hope the clinic provider, the district and the (Wynn Elementary) neighborhood can work together to address everyone’s concerns.”
"the first impression will be that this is an impoverished area."
It isn't the greatest neighborhood anymore and hasn't been in years. Lots of apartments just down the road should have been her first clue.
You wouldn't have seen any people from those apartments at that meeting protesting free health care for their kids. Those custom homes are nice but have sawtooth roads along them.
Nevada is gone to hell, we're becoming another California.
Liberals have infested Nevada and will stop at nothing to promote their sick socialist agenda, not in our communities. We don't want you; now go home to California where you belong.
If you insist on putting your clinics in communities then do it where it won't cost taxpayer's more money and further reduce the property values. We know you will be greeted with open arms in North Las Vegas then work your way in and around Sam Boyd Stadium and then work your way into the section 8 communities and build there, they'd love you and we surly don't want your kin moving into our communities, we're not liberals.
The author of the article spins this as though the neighbors were opposed to the health clinic and the children.
The number one issue was: Ground being broken without any permit or notification of the neighbors, and the added traffic to an already overburdened small residential street. The street is already blocked twice a day when parents drop off and pick up their children.
Are you a native Nevadan, its2hot?
Feel the love kids?
These people care about you, they really do.
But permits--and the fact that they no way in hell want to see your mom's crummy car in their neighborhood--are very important matters for grown-ups.
It's all about the permits. And traffic.
Really.
How good can you be if you are against the provision of basic needs to those that need them. You act as if you are virtuous. Self-righteous is more like it. Shame on you!!!!
Yes.
AAnd no, born and Ca. Moved here many many years ago to escape the Democrats. I now consider myself native, here before before Jones was built and Tropicana was end of paved roadwas.
I suspected as much, its2hot. It's pretty easy to tell real native Nevadans from the wannabees.
So true, Shannon, you can always spot the non-natives, they complain the most! I think all of those who moved here from someplace else but do nothing but complain and label folks should either shut up or move someplace that isn't 'liberal.' How about Alaska?
its2hot
Get an education and quit posting your redneck idiocy on every article. You need to get your facts straight before you spout off on subjects you obviously haven't researched. Opinions of ignorant hotheads do not impress anyone.
LOL, you two are blinded by stupidity or you are liberal.
In either case, Liberals are running Nevada so call it what you'd like but when it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, looks like a duck, it's a duck.
Clark County Commissioners vote liberal, environmental Laws are liberal, restrictions on hillside construction is liberal, education system is liberal, taxes and tax increases are liberal, permits and cost of permits are liberal, large government and more being hired is liberal, guess what Nevada is infested with liberals.
Not sure of your age but I can assure you, I've lived here for over 43 years and counting and over the years in my career, this State along with the Clark County is very much liberal biased and we've become infested with them. From the gay and lesbians, career welfare recipients, to career criminals or the preferred job of choice of liberals, sucking off the system with no job, this is liberal.
rejco100
Great, another conspiracy theorist. Welcome to Nevada. What's your diagnosis, paranoid schizophrenia? Are you related to its2hot? At least you can spell and use half way decent grammar.
That's nice, its2hot. I'm not a kid and I'm a second generation Nevadan. I've seen a lot of changes, not all of them good, but I certainly wouldn't be blaming just the liberals for it.
it'stohot, think you've had to much tea lately. never stops amazing me how many selfish people are out there. most of these selfish people are 1st in line when they need help. we need to draft back as some of these little boys need to grow up.
formervegas76:
Selfishness is what today's generation is all about, I do believe if they're below the age 44 for the most part, they haven't worked for it and if they have worked then they've been dishonest in many ways which made them wealthy or they've screwed enough people over to attain their wealth.
LOL, the draft would do America well but it will never happen again. These days are long over with and with the liberal infestation into our military and society; America is rapidly becoming another 3rd world country.
And what makes this even harder sallow is with Obama, Pelosi, Reid, and the rest of the politicians who are cramming their beliefs our throats and others who vote for their lunatic bills are succumbing to the Marxists ways of Stalin.
These clinics are a prime example of their infiltration into our society; their moms can get off their lazy bungers and take their children to the doctors, if the mom works then the husband needs to get off his lazy bunger and get a second or third job so mom can stay at home and do her job, take care of the house and children. If this still isn't enough then quit spending so much and live within your means; who cares what the Jones family is doing and what material objects they have, they're miserable anyway.
Troll (Internet)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In Internet slang, a troll is someone who posts controversial, inflammatory, irrelevant, or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum, chat room or blog, with the primary intent of provoking other users into an emotional response[1] or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion
Please folks... do not feed the Troll!!
rejco100
What makes you think my post was directed at you?
I agree 100%.
sorry the liberals have brought you social security, medicare, etc, etc. hate it so much, give it back. people just don't give a cr-- about anyone anymore, good job beck and rush. sorry it's, but i was brought up to care for the least of us, right wing=have all those babies, then they call them lowlifes when they can't get out of the hole their stuck in. sleep well wingnuts
formervegas76:
We're aware of what the liberals did promote and push for each one of the programs you mentioned, These programs are run by the government is full of corruption and we keep feeding billions upon billions into these programs that don't work and have enabled many not to become responsible adults. The amount of money spent on these programs and the results produced isn't worth it and need to go away.
And now Clark County wants to put more clinics in and around schools, just another attempt to socialize the young children to ensure that as the child enters adulthood they've become accustomed to freebies and become codependent upon the government. Yet another example of Obama and clan desecrating American from within, using our children to promote their sick agenda.
When the clinics are built the influx of career welfare recipients, illegal immigrants, and the less desirable will slowly infest into what was once a safe community and destroy it like they have every other community they've desecrated.
The system is broke and we're sick of our taxes being wasted on programs that are being used to support illegal immigrants, career welfare recipients, and others who opted to make their lifes codependent on the system.
As you so graciously stated, there are existing programs that Democrats promote to use, they can use these programs, and we don't need programs that we know will cost taxpayers money and promote Obama's Marxist policies.
Could we please have one of these clinics at Becker Middle school?
This article is very biased against the neighbors -- I should know, I'm one of them, and I attended the meeting. We made it absolutely clear that we were NOT against the clinic per se but were against the chosen location on a small residential side street with no sidewalks, bad visibility, existing traffic problems from the school, etc. There are so many reasons that the chosen site is a terrible location!
Also, we were upset because ground was broken illegally on the project before ANYONE in the neighborhood was notified in any way. We feel that the whole thing was decided and arranged under the radar, on purpose, with no notice to the community which will be very strongly impacted.
We made this very very clear, and the reporter chose to ignore it.
its2hot did you wake up and take stupid pills today? these are not government run at all; a private health care provider runs them in an attempt to provide easier health care access and diagnosis for sick children. and rejco, after school abortions? I would think providing children with easier access to health care would be something that most people would agree on, but I guess some would rather see kids dead from swine flu in the gutter. absolutely disgusting. and all this bull about young people not knowing what hard work is I'll put my record up against anyone's any day of the week
suck it up, it's not like you live in Beverly Hills or Agoura.
Fingersss:
And your point being, taxpayer funds are being used, read above gain. Clark County School District means, we the taxpayer are paying for the land, utility hookups, and staff coordinator in the School Community Partnership Office to work with the clinics. Is there something being missed here or you don't live in Nevada? In either case, I don't care, I pay my taxes and I pay too much and they spend my money like it is a bottomless pit, they're done.
I don't care if these are donated, as long as no government involvement and my taxes are used. Once we start to spend money, it is a well known fact, the cash register is open and the money printing presses are on standby, tax the public more. The system has more than enough taxpayer dollars being wasted on their programs, we don't need more.
When Democrats start infesting decent communities with their tokens then those communities will become worthless and we'll once again be forced to spend more taxpayer funds to support their future voting pool.
WOW!! I don't think I saw one mention of anyone actually visiting and existing clinic. Let me educate you since none of you took the time before ranting. I visited a school health clinic just last week.
1. There was no traffic issues created by this clinic. Actually there were parking spaces completely clear for me to park my huge SUV in.
2. The building was a solid standing building that didn't stick out or cause the surrounding area to look impovershed.
3. The clinic hours were very limited:they opened after school started and closed after school concluded, so not to cause anymore traffic issues, if any at all.
4. This is not a liberal or conservative issue this is a childs health issue and if any of you want to sight any other reasons you should be ASHAMED of your self. The CHILDREN are what is important not a permit, or "I feel like you should have communicated with the community first" issue.
5. For your financial comments: It is funded by grants and donations. The money is going to go to someone it might as well be your kids that get to use it. Some of these sites are funded by the United Way (I know this because I took the time to ask, another words I educated myself) Even the clinics that are using grants also help the community by using nursing students and nurse practioner students to help run the clinics.
6. These are children we are talking about so start acting like they are the issue. These children are our future. If you fail to care for their health now, how much do you think there health care is going to cost YOU when their needs were not addressed as children.
7. Stop thinking of youselves and think of others first.
Just in case you were wondering I am a CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN!! (with a heart)
it'shot, please reread your post, is that the human being you are. sad.
In the interest of accuracy... I do not believe any construction has actually started. A groundbreaking ceremony is typically simply a photo opportunity, not an actual construction start. As I understand it, there is a construction trailer that has been moved there, but no construction activity on the location has begun.
Your readers need to know the real issues at play with this clinic. I live in the neighborhood and have been involved with this issue.
The hard work of Communities in Schools is sorely needed. In fact, it should be expanded and funded more fully. Keeping kids healthy and, therefore, focused and in school is an absolute necessity. The neighborhood surrounding Elaine Wynn Elementary enthusiastically applauds the work & mission of CIS.
The neighborhood is staunchly PRO clinic but AGAINST this location because it simply doesn't make sense. The location on Coley Ave is highly inconvenient to the very children & families it alleges to serve. For example, it offers no public transportation access which is the primary transportation mode for the majority of intended users, the latest proposal offers only 7 parking spaces for those who drive, and the nearest drug store to fill prescriptions written by clinic staff is a mile away.
There have been no traffic or neighborhood impact studies done on the proposed site, at least none publicly available. And the proposed access on Coley Avenue on the South side of Wynn Elementary is not a safe traffic zone especially during school drop-off and pick-up times.
It is only common sense that the clinic should be located closest to the most students it can serve, not on the far Southwest edge of the service area. Other sites such as Cashman or Clark can provide the most convenient, superior public access, parking & location for the children it is meant to serve.
Meetings & discussions concerning the Wynn Elementary site were held on many occasions over 2 years by School Board members, School District officials, School Board Trustees, Communities in Schools and NAIOP (possibly more) yet NO minutes or records of these exist. In two years not a single member of the neighborhood was notified or offered any information. And now, in spite of repeatedly asking how and by whom it was decided that this is a wise or useful location, the proponents offer no specifics and remain largely mute. Why is that?
There are myriad other reasons why this clinic should not be built at Wynn Elementary, some smacking of the nepotism and good 'ol boy favoritism of the Erin Kenny era. And your readers should know that last Tuesday the Spring Valley Town Advisory Board voted to deny a Use permit for the clinic (based on facts, not emotion).
But putting all that aside, if a much-needed clinic is to be built, then why locate it on the far edge & miles away from the center of the intended service area? Why locate it in a place where it poses a real difficulty to reach for most of the children of the 6 schools it is intended to serve? And why locate it less than 3 blocks from another free clinic that is in the process of gaining funding, approvals and permits?
Locating this clinic at Wynn Elementary simply makes no sense. And it surely doesn't pass the smell test.