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June 1, 2006 - Today, Senator Richard T. Moore (D-Uxbridge) along with his Senate colleagues passed a bill that would add school nurses to the list of positions entitled to professional teacher status, the job protection that replaced teacher tenure under the Education Reform Act of 1993.
“It’s important to recognize the contributions of our school nurses,” said Senator Moore. “They must go through the same certification process and requirements as a teacher therefore it’s only fair for them to receive the same benefits.”
School nurses are professional registered nurses with at least a Bachelor in Science degree. They must also have at least two years of pediatric or other relevant nursing experience. Similar to school professionals, these nurses must earn a Massachusetts Department of Education license and must pass a literacy test while the requirements for becoming a school nurse are the same as for school professionals, but the benefits do not reflect the same status. This bill will recognize school nurses as professional staff.
Senator Moore is a long-time advocate for school nurses and school-based health centers. Last week, the Senate passed an FY 2007 budget that increases funding to school nursing services and school-based health centers by more than a $1 million over last year’s budget.
House Bill 1087, an act to provide tenure for school nurses, now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.
To learn more about Senator Moore’s legislation and his work in the Massachusetts Senate, log onto his web site at www.senatormoore.com
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