by Paul Oliva, The Lexington Times LEXINGTON, KY — Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS), in a crucial pivot, is now negotiating to extend its longstanding contract with the Lexington-Fayette Health Department for school nursing services. This move marks a significant shift from Superintendent Demetrius Liggins’ initial proposal to privatize these services and cut costs. The Fayette County Board of Education’s decision to reconsider Monday came in response to a vocal and concerted pushback from the community, underscoring the deep-seated concerns over the potential impacts on student health care. The board’s action builds upon a broader narrative of community engagement and advocacy in Fayette County educational policy, especially in the context of Superintendent Liggins’ administration, which has faced separate accusations of pursuing ‘union-busting’ policies this year. The Initial Proposal and Community Response The initial proposal involved ending a nearly 50-year partnership with the Lexington-Fayette Health Department, opting instead for a more cost-effective solution with a new vendor, Maxim Healthcare. The decision was primarily driven by financial considerations, according to a document released by the school district. Maxim’s bid to provide nursing services was significantly lower, at $3,143,850, compared to the $4,565,138 bid from the health department. The bids were evaluated based on a series of standards, including cost, technical proposal, references, and interviews, with Maxim scoring higher overall. However, this proposal was met with immediate and vocal opposition from various stakeholders, according to reporting by the Lexington Herald-Leader. Longtime nurses, parents, teachers, and even top officials from the health department raised significant concerns. They questioned the potential loss of quality in nursing care and the disruption of a long-standing community partnership. The prospect of replacing experienced health department nurses with a new, possibly less familiar, workforce was particularly troubling for many. Critics of the move emphasized the integral role school nurses … Continue reading School board reconsiders privatizing school nurses. For now.