Who Should Provide Care For Students With COVID Symptoms In D.C. Schools?
Martita Fleming keeps things running at Washington Latin Public Charter School. As director of operations, her job encompasses a lot — she makes sure classes have textbooks, that lights stay on, and the copier is running.
Fleming’s responsibilities expanded further when Washington Latin fully reopened for in-person learning last month. She and a small team of school deans and teachers oversee coronavirus testing and screening of students, and they monitor students who are isolating.
In short, Fleming is managing the school’s COVID-19 response almost entirely without help from a school nurse.
“It’s definitely a lot of effort and hours,” she said.
That’s because school nurses hired by the city are not allowed to monitor or treat students exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, according to accounts from several school leaders. It has put administrators in the difficult position of deciding who should respond to students with symptoms inside their buildings. READ MORE