Parents raise concerns as dozens of Broward County public schools operate without full-time nurses and families remain uncertain about Coral Springs schools
Coral Springs, Florida – A growing number of parents in Broward County are expressing alarm as reports reveal that dozens of public schools in the district are operating this year without full-time nurses, leaving families uncertain about the safety of students with medical needs. The exact impact on schools in Coral Springs remains unclear, raising questions about communication and transparency from district officials.
Broward County Public Schools confirmed in a statement that 49 schools currently do not have nurses assigned. However, the district has not released a list of the affected schools, leaving parents to rely on informal sources such as social media and word-of-mouth to determine whether their children’s schools are impacted.
“This school year, the district transitioned to this staffing model to more efficiently allocate resources while continuing to prioritize students’ healthcare needs,” the district said in its statement.
“This is the same health care staffing model used by the district prior to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020,” the statement continued. “Parents who would like additional information about this change or wish to discuss their child’s health care needs may contact their school administration.”
While some families are adjusting to the changes, many parents say they were not notified about the new staffing approach and feel unprepared to manage potential medical emergencies at their children’s schools. Social media posts reveal parents sharing their worries, particularly those whose children have chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, or severe allergies.
District officials have said that even in schools without assigned nurses, each campus must have at least two trained staff members capable of providing basic medical assistance. Students with documented medical needs continue to have nurses assigned to them, and all schools are instructed to call 911 for emergencies when necessary, regardless of whether a nurse is on site.
As of October 17, Broward County Public Schools reported that 172 schools have nurses assigned based on student medical requirements. Despite this, parents are raising concerns that the absence of full-time nurses increases risks for students, while also placing added responsibilities on teachers, office staff, and other school personnel.
In response to these concerns, a Change.org petition has been launched, calling for full-time nurses to be reinstated at every elementary school in the district. The petition has already gathered over 350 signatures, with supporters citing safety risks, inconsistent care, and the extra burden placed on non-medical staff who may have to handle medical situations in the absence of a nurse.
Some parents argue that communication from the district has been inadequate. Many first learned of the staffing change through informal channels rather than official notifications from schools. “It’s concerning that families with children who rely on regular medical care were not informed directly,” said one parent who asked to remain anonymous. “We need clarity and reassurance that our kids are safe at school.”
The Broward County Public Schools district has emphasized that the staffing changes are intended to allocate resources more efficiently while maintaining healthcare support for students with documented needs. Officials also noted that this approach mirrors the pre-pandemic model and allows the district to balance limited nursing resources across a large number of campuses.
Despite these assurances, parents continue to voice unease, particularly in Coral Springs and other communities where it is still unclear which schools lack full-time nurses. As the school year progresses, families are watching closely to ensure that safety standards are upheld and that children receive the care they require in every emergency.
