VALDOSTA —
Unfortunately for Sherrie Williams of the Berrien County school-based health clinic, she talked to The Times and praised the program that she oversees. This pride in her work led to the loss of her job.
Williams had been summoned to report to the Berrien County school board on Feb. 14, 2012, to answer questions regarding the school-based health clinic, with a list of “concerns” provided by Superintendent Paula Raley in a letter dated Jan. 23, 2012. The letter states that Williams would be asked to defend the clinic due to concerns of school board members regarding such items as the funds the clinic has “grossed” since its inception, what doctors are benefiting financially from the venture, and since the doctors are allegedly making money from the clinic, why aren’t they reimbursing the school board, etc.
In other words, every question centered on who is making money and how from helping these children. If school board members read The Times’ previous articles, for which Williams received praise as opposed to being fired, the board would have understood that these doctors are barely covering costs and no one is profiting from this non-profit venture, which is funded by a grant from the federal government.
However, none of the questions pertained to the services provided to the children, staff, etc., or the benefits provided by the clinics — all of the things which Williams said in her interview with The Times. In addition, those she worked with were given notice that The Times had contacted her for an interview prior to her answering any questions.
There is unfortunately no way to find out what board members raised the concerns with the clinic as no minutes from a Berrien BOE meeting have been posted to its website since December 2009.
The program is beneficial to low-income students, has helped decrease absenteeism substantially, and allows teachers and staff members access to a physician while at work rather than the school system paying for a substitute while they leave school grounds to see a doctor. The school system provides space and pays some expenses, but would be paying much more in costs associated with absenteeism and sick days, so it saves money.
Good luck to Williams as she fields numerous offers from other school systems who understand the benefits of the program. We would say shame on the Berrien County school board but they’ve already brought that shame on themselves.
What We Think
Shame in Berrien County
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