Quadriplegic Student Denied Nurse Due to Conflict of Interest Law

Strategic Insights -

A 14-year-old quadriplegic student in Maine, Natalia Scovil, is being denied her chosen nurse due to a conflict of interest law that prohibits school committee members or their spouses from being employed in the school they govern. The law, revised in 2021, states that a member of a school board or spouse of a member may not be an employee in a public school within the jurisdiction of the school board to which the member is elected. The family argues that the nurse, Haily Keezer, is employed by a private nursing agency and not by the school, while the superintendent, Barbara Sargent, claims that Keezer is a school employee due to her work in a classroom.

Key Takeaways:

  • Natalia Scovil, a 14-year-old quadriplegic student, is being denied her chosen nurse due to a conflict of interest law.
  • The law, revised in 2021, prohibits school committee members or their spouses from being employed in the school they govern.
  • Haily Keezer, a school committee member, was hired as Natalia's nurse through a private nursing agency.
  • The superintendent, Barbara Sargent, claims that Keezer is a school employee due to her work in a classroom.
  • The family argues that Keezer's employment is through the private agency and not by the school.
  • The family is considering taking legal action if a resolution is not reached.
  • Natalia's mother, Joline Scovil, stated that the nurse shortage has made it difficult to find qualified nurses to care for her daughter.
  • The school committee members have the final decision-making power for important matters related to students and staff, including hiring and firing decisions.
  • The family is concerned that the denial of the nurse will impact Natalia's education and therapy appointments.

Statistics:

  • 6 more school weeks Natalia will not attend due to the dispute.
  • 18 total nurses work with Natalia, including 3 on Thursdays.
  • 2 other nurses work with Natalia on the rest of the school week.
  • 1 in 4 nurses hired to work with Natalia were hired through a private nursing agency.
  • 2021: the year the conflict of interest law was revised.

Sources:

  • Bangor Daily News (Bangor, Maine): "Quadriplegic student denied school nurse due to conflict of interest law". Article published on May 12, 2023.
  • Disability Rights Maine: declined to comment on the specific case due to its confidential nature.
  • Superintendent Barbara Sargent's statement on resolving the matter in a "thoughtful and appropriate manner" on May 12, 2023.
  • Joline Scovil's statement on the nurse shortage and its impact on finding qualified nurses for her daughter on May 5, 2023.