The Indian Lake Board of Education discussed student health and wellness, along with financial opportunities during their regular meeting in June.
Community Health and Wellness Partners and Indian Lake Schools recently received a $50,000 federal grant to establish a health clinic on campus, much like the clinics already in operation at Ben Logan and West Liberty-Salem Schools.
The optional clinic will be housed at Indian Lake Middle School and open to all Indian Lake students and staff during school hours. Parents will have the option to send their child to the clinic if the school nurse refers them for treatment. Parents would then be billed for the services provided at the clinic.
CHWP President and CEO Tara Bair shared recent survey information with the board Monday night explaining that much of the feedback from students, staff and parents centered around the need for increased behavioral/mental health services. She also explained more about their role at school.
“We’re not here to replace a primary care provider. We’re here to be a conduit to care, to fill healthcare gaps and make referrals,” Bair told the board members.
The CHWP clinic is set to open at ILMS this fall and will feature a behavioral health professional. Indian Lake will also continue to provide a mental health counselor through a partnership with TCN Behavioral Health.
In addition, board members set a public hearing for July 26th at 5:30 pm in the board office to present information on moving inside millage.
Superintendent Underwood explains this is an option that more than half of the school districts in Ohio have already chosen to create a permanent improvement fund.
“It’s an opportune time for Indian Lake because we have a bond that will be retired and off the books, so the district could choose to move a portion of the inside millage to set up a permanent improvement fund to allow the district to address our facilities and to make sure that we protect the community’s investment in those facilities.”
Underwood said to make the adjustment at this time would actually be a net reduction for taxpayers. The board will consider the inside millage adjustment during their next regular meeting directly after the public hearing on July 26th. The public hearing will take place at 5:30 pm and the board meeting will follow at 6:30 pm.