MOUNT VERNON – Mount Vernon City Schools intends to have a school-based health center in operation for the start of the 2023-24 school year.
MVCS applied for state funding for the center, in partnership with the Knox County Career Center. Earlier in March, Gov. Mike DeWine announced the funding allocations, which includes in total $25.9 million awarded for 136 new or expanded School-Based Health Centers throughout Ohio.
Specifically, these funds will support expanding services in 107 existing centers and create 29 new centers, such as the one for Mount Vernon. The funding has been made available through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. While the center will be financed by the state, it will be owned by MVCS, Mount Vernon supt. Bill Seder said.
The priority of the center is to provide care for students of both MVCS and KCCC, but it will also be available to staff and family members of those in the two districts.
“Primary medical is going to be number one,” Seder said regarding the health center services. “Then, we’ll look at eye, dental and behavioral.”
Mount Vernon’s allocation accompanies a partnership with Nationwide Children’s Hospital, which will be the healthcare provider partner for three other districts as well — Shelby City Schools, Columbus City Schools and Reynoldsburg City Schools. A total of $3,245,283 has been allocated for Nationwide’s partner districts, but $500,000 is expected to be provided to each district, Seder said.
Although MVCS is partnering with Nationwide to provide health services, Seder said he expects there will also be opportunities to work with Knox Public Health.
MVCS can use Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds if costs end up exceeding $500,000, although Seder hopes is to keep costs within that allocation.
While previously MVCS and KCCC had considered constructing a new building for the center, Seder said Nationwide has indicated a preference for renovating a building due to the higher costs and time needed to construct a new building.
The district has narrowed down the health center site to a few locations at the backside of the high school, Seder said.
“We’re looking at a couple spaces perhaps in the industrial arts vo-ag wings of the building,” Seder said.
It is unknown at this time when the district will receive the funds, or whether it will be provided incrementally or all at once. Seder said he expects to find out funding details in the coming week when the district intends to meet with Nationwide.
“We have to design the space,” Seder said. “We know what the square footage perhaps will look like, but now what’s the design?
“And, we’ll have to have an estimate from the architect that says ‘This is going to cost you $500,00 to do, or $750,000,’ and then if it’s more than ($500,000) we’ll have to co-mingle some funds to make that work.”
Several aspects of the health center are still being determined, including hours of operation. Seder expects the hours may change according to need as the center starts offering services.
Using the school-based health center will not necessarily be a free option for families, Seder cautioned. But he said the district’s insurance company intends to keep rates low.
