School Board approves one-year extension to Health Department’s contract for school nurses

LEXINGTON, KY — The Fayette County Board of Education has approved a $4 million contract to extend its collaboration with the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department for school health services through the 2024-25 academic year. This decision, announced in the latest “Board Meeting Buzz” newsletter, marks a significant development in the ongoing discussion about the future of school health services in Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS).

A Shift from Privatization to Continued Partnership

The decision represents a notable shift from earlier considerations to privatize these services, a proposal initially put forward by Superintendent Demetrius Liggins. The initial proposal suggested ending the nearly five-decade-long partnership with the Lexington-Fayette Health Department in favor of a more cost-effective solution with a new vendor, Maxim Healthcare. However, the school board’s latest move to continue the existing partnership follows intense community backlash and concerns regarding the potential impact on student healthcare.